Relationship between endoscopic nodular gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infection in children.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The specificity of relationship of endoscopic evidence of nodular gastritis with Helicobacter pylori infection is unclear. AIM: To assess the relationship of endoscopic nodular gastritis and H. pylori infection among children. METHODS: 124 children (median age 8.2 years, range 1-15) undergoing upper GI endoscopy for abdominal pain underwent urease test and histological examination of gastric mucosa to determine the presence and density of H. pylori infection, and presence and severity of gastritis. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was detected in 57 (46%) children. Endoscopic nodular gastritis was present in 46 of these 57 patients (81%) and in 24 of 67 (36%) H. pylori-negative patients (36%). The frequency of endoscopic nodular gastritis was related to increasing age (p< 0.0001), presence of H. pylori, grade of histologic gastritis, and H. pylori density (p< 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic finding of nodular gastritis is associated with presence of H. pylori infection and active chronic gastritis in children.