Helicobacter pylori infection in Iranian children with recurrent abdominal pain.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori infection may be a cause of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in children. However, this relationship between H. pylori infection and RAP has not yet been confirmed. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of H. pylori infection as a cause of RAP in Iranian children. METHODS: Demographic characteristics and clinical information of 40 children with RAP and mean age of 12.7 +/- 1.0 year and 60 healthy children (as control group) matched for sex and age were collected by self-administered questionnaires and physical examination. The stool antigen test was performed using HpSA ELISA in both study groups. RESULTS: In the RAP group, 16 of the 40 patients were positive for H. pylori infection on HpSA, whereas this test was positive in 15 of the 60 healthy children. No relationship was found between RAP and positive HpSA ELISA for H. pylori (p = 0.112). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in children with RAP and in healthy children in the age range of 12 to 15 years was similar.