Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis among Bahraini children presenting with abdominal pain

Abstract AR

Objectives: This cross-sectional retrospective study was done to determine the prevalence of H.pylori gastritis among Bahraini children presented with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) as primary objective.

The secondary objectives were to study the significant associated symptoms with abdominal pain among patients proven to have H.

pylori associated gastritis and to determine their response of to treatment.

Methods: Hundred patients, aged 3-17 years, from Jan1999 - Jan2004 were studied.

All patients were evaluated by UGI endoscopes and biopsies.

Patients with H.pylori gastritis were treated for two weeks with triple therapy and followed up for six months.

Results: H.pylori gastritis was found in 57 (57%) patients.

Abdominal pain was central in 54% and nocturnal in 65%.

Vomiting (53%) and nausea (51%) were the most frequent associated symptoms.

49 % of infected patients showed improvement of these symptoms, after triple therapy, upon six months follow-up.

Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence of H pylori associated gastritis among Bahraini children presenting with recurrent abdominal pain.

Further prospective studies are needed to determine the longterm outcome of H.pylori associated gastritis among our pediatric population.