Helicobacter pylori infection is not associated with specific symptoms in nonulcer-dyspeptic children

Objectives. To assess symptoms associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in children presenting with nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD). Study Design. A prospective double-blind study was conducted between March 2001 and April 2002 in children at least 6 years old with NUD who had been referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for epigastric pain. A standardized questionnaire was administered blindly by a pediatric gastroenterologist. This questionnaire characterized epigastric pain and associated factors. Infection was confirmed by positive culture and histologic examination of the gastric mucosa. Results. From 100 children enrolled, 26 proved infected (12 female, 14 male; mean age: 11.4 +/- 2.6 years), and 74 were noninfected (44 female, 30 male; mean age: 10.4 +/- 3.1 years). There were no differences in age or symptom characteristics between groups except for epigastric pain during meals that was more frequent in noninfected than in infected children (25.6% vs 3.8%). Conclusion. There were no specific characteristics of symptoms in nonulcer-dyspeptic H pylori-infected children as compared with noninfected children.