How and when investigating and treating Helicobacter pylori infection in children

How and when investigating and treating Helicobacter pylori infection in children

Authors

  • Marco Manfredi Azienda USL of Reggio Emilia-IRCCS, Maternal and Child Department, Pediatric Unit, Sant’Anna Hospital, Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Reggio Emilia, Italy
  • Federica Gaiani Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Stefano Kayali Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Barbara Bizzarri Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Silvia Iuliano Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Roberta Minelli Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Gioacchino Leandro National Institute of Gastroenterology “S. De Bellis” Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy
  • Francesco Di Mario Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
  • Gian Luigi de' Angelis Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy

Keywords:

Helicobacter pylori, children, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, antibiotic resistance, esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Abstract

For thousands of years humans have lived in symbiosis with Helicobacter pylori. This infection is acquired mainly during childhood and, despite it represents one of the most common infections in humans, only a minority of infected people may develop health issues and life-threatening diseases. For diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in children we can use, at first, non-invasive diagnostic tests, if clinical pattern and/or history are of suspicion. Then, invasive tests i.e. gastroscopy are necessary to confirm the infection. As antibiotics are not widely available in children affected by Helicobacter pylori infection, they should be chosen based on individual antibiotic susceptibility testing obtained by gastric biopsy specimens or the local antibiotic resistance pattern, in empirical treatment is chosen. Test and treat strategy in children should be avoided. In this brief review we summarize how and in which children the infection should be investigate and which the most appropriate eradication treatment should be chosen.

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Published

17-12-2018

How to Cite

1.
How and when investigating and treating Helicobacter pylori infection in children. Acta Biomed [Internet]. 2018 Dec. 17 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];89(8-S):65-71. Available from: https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/actabiomedica/article/view/7893