Helicobacter pylori Infection in Pediatric Patients Living in Europe: Results of the EuroPedHP Registry 2013 to 2016

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess clinical presentation, endoscopic findings, antibiotic susceptibility and treatment success of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infected pediatric patients. Methods: Between 2013 and 2016, 23 pediatric hospitals from 17 countries prospectively submitted data on consecutive H. pylori-infected (culture positive) patients to the EuroPedHP-Registry. Results: Of 1333 patients recruited (55.1% girls, median age 12.6 years), 1168 (87.6%) were therapy naïve (group A) and 165 (12.4%) had failed treatment (group B). Patients resided in North/Western (29.6%), Southern (34.1%) and Eastern Europe (23.0%), or Israel/Turkey (13.4%). Main indications for endoscopy were abdominal pain or dyspepsia (81.2%, 1078/1328). Antral nodularity was reported in 77.8% (1031/1326) of patients, gastric or duodenal ulcers and erosions in 5.1% and 12.8%, respectively. Primary resistance to clarithromycin (CLA) and metronidazole (MET) occurred in 25% and 21%, respectively, and increased after failed therapy. Bacterial strains were fully susceptible in 60.5% of group A, but in only 27.4% of group B. Primary CLA resistance was higher in Southern and Eastern Europe (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 3.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.22–5.32, P 
Source: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Original Articles: Gastroenterology Source Type: research