Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (대한소아소화기영양학회)
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Association between Gastric pH and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children

  • Seo, Ji-Hyun (Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Heung Keun (Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Ji Sook (Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Yeom, Jung Sook (Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lim, Jae-Young (Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Chan-Hoo (Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Woo, Hyang-Ok (Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Youn, Hee-Shang (Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Jun, Jin-Su (Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Ko, Gyung-Hyuck (Department of Pathology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Baik, Seung-Chul (Department of Microbiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Woo-Kon (Department of Microbiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Cho, Myung-Je (Department of Microbiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine) ;
  • Rhee, Kwang-Ho (Department of Microbiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2015.07.25
  • Accepted : 2015.09.15
  • Published : 2015.12.30
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Abstract

Purpose: To assess gastric pH and its relationship with urease-test positivity and histological findings in children with Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: Fasting gastric juices and endoscopic antral biopsy specimens were collected from 562 children and subjected to the urease test and histopathological examination. The subjects were divided into 3 age groups: 0-4, 5-9, and 10-15 years. The histopathological grade was assessed using the Updated Sydney System, while the gastric juice pH was determined using a pH meter. Results: The median gastric juice pH did not differ significantly among the age groups (p=0.655). The proportion of individuals with gastric pH >4.0 was 1.3% in the 0-4 years group, 6.1% in the 5-9 years group, and 8.2% in 10-15 years (p=0.101). The proportions of moderate and severe chronic gastritis, active gastritis, and H. pylori infiltration increased with age (p<0.005). Urease-test positivity was higher in children with hypochlorhydria (77.8%) than in those with normal gastric pH (31.7%) (p<0.001). Chronic and active gastritis were more severe in the former than the latter (p<0.001), but the degree of H. pylori infiltration did not differ (20.9% vs. 38.9%; p=0.186). Conclusion: Gastric pH while fasting is normal in most children regardless of age. Urease-test positivity may be related to hypochlorhydria in children, and hypochlorhydria is in turn related to H. pylori infection.

Keywords

References

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