Helicobacter pylori infection and gastritis in children

Objective To investigate the histopathology of children gastritis, and whether the gastritis in child ren is related to Hericobacter pylori (Hp). Method 100 consecutive gastroscopic biopsies of children (from 3 to 15 years old) were observed from 1996 to 1998 in Ruijin hospital under light microscopy and evaluated by criteria of Sydney System: the degree of activity of gastritis, extent of Hp colonization, presence or absence of antral atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and lymphoid follicles.Results 49% of children gastritis were associated with Hp infection, the severity of inflammation, degree of activity of gastritis, presence of antral atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and lymphoid follicles differed significantly (chi square test: P 0.01) between those with and without Hp. With Hp infection, there were more frequent antral atrophy, more severe inflammation, and presence of lymphoid follicles( P 0.01).Conclusion The Hp positive rate in children of this study was 49%, children with positive Hp infection had more severe gastritis than those without, and because of the close association between Hp and gastric cancer and gastric ulcer, preventive treatment of Hp should be undertaken in as early as possible. (Shanghai Med J, 2000,23∶70 72)