Therapeutic Effect of Helicobacter pylori Eradication inChildren with Recurrent Abdominal Pain Associated with H. pylori

Purpose:In order to clarify the role of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) in recurrent abdominal pain, we investigated prospectively the effect of eradication of H. pylori based on symptom improvement in children with recurrent abdominal pain. Methods:Children with recurrent abdominal pain were evaluated with diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to rule out peptic ulcer disease, etc. During endoscopy, biopsies were taken and sent for CLO test and histologic evaluation with H-E stain and Alcian-Yellow stain. Twenty four out of 28 H. pylori infected children didn't have peptic ulcer disease. They underwent triple therapy with bismuth subcitrate, amoxicillin and clarithromycin. Four weeks after the end of the therapy, patients were evaluated with regard to their symptoms. Results:In patients with H. pylori eradication, the mean total symptom score decreased significantly at four weeks' follow-up after the treatment(9.13.6 vs. 1.41.5; P21.1 times/week to 1.41.5 times/ week after eradication of H. pylori(P