Current Pediatric Research

Background: Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a frequent gastrointestinal complaint in pediatrics. The roles of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) as a cause for these complaints remain controversial. Helicobacter pylori infection is a worldwide infection that is commonly acquired during childhood. Aim of study: To detect the association between recurrent abdominal pain and Helicobacter pylori infection in children between (3-13) years. Patients and methods A hospital base case control study conducted in Alzahraa teaching hospital for maternity and children between first of November 2014 to 28th of February 2015.Thirty three children ranging between (3- 13) years old with mean age ± SD (7.94 ± 2.51) years complaining from recurrent abdominal pain were studied. Patients were classified into three groups according to the age: group A (3patients) whom their age (3-5) years, constituent of group B (25 patients) whom their age ranged (5-10) years, and group C (5 patients) whom their age ranged (10-13) years. Control group consist of 35 healthy children with mean age ± SD (6.03 ± 3.79) years. Complete blood count, blood film, screen for celiac disease, general stool examination, urinalysis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ultrasound of abdomen, and screen for Helicobacter pylori in blood and stool were done to all patients. Screening for Helicobacter pylori screen in the blood and stool was done for control group. Results: The present study demonstrated that, out of 33 samples of RAP there were 11 positive (33.33%) and 22 were negative for H. pylori (66.67%). while regarding control group, current study demonstrated that out of 35 cases there were 4 cases positive for H. pylori infection, with a statistically significant difference between patients and control group regarding to H. pylori infection (P=0.029). Moreover, current study demonstrated no a significant difference between the percentage of H. pylori infection when compared among different age groups (p=1.000). We found strongly significant correlation (p<0.001) between H. pylori infection and family history of recurrent abdominal pain. Conclusion: We conclude that H. pylori represent an important cause of abdominal pain in children and must be included in RAP work-up.

Author(s): Ahmed Abdul Hadi Mohsen, Alaa Jumaah Manji, Jasim Mohammed Hashim, Rawasee Malik Obeid

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