Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Helicobacter pylori in Children

Grama Alina¹, Duicu Carmen¹, Sigmirean Marcela¹, Chinceșan Mihaela², Voidăzan S³, Grama O⁴

1 Pediatric Department II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureș
2 Pediatric Department I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureș
3 Epidemiology – Preventive Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureş
4 Ginecology Department II , Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureș

Introduction: The role of Helicobacter pylori in gastroesophageal reflux disease remains controversial, particularly in children, since there are limited published data. More than half of the world’s population carries this infection. Infection rates vary among the developed and developing countries of the world.
The aim of our study was to determine the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease in a pediatric population.
Material and method: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients hospitalized in the Two Pediatric Clinic Târgu-Mureș, Gastroenterology Department, from 2009 to 2010. We included in the study 376 children between 1 and 18 years with clinical symptoms (epigastric pain, vomiting, nausea, anorexia, loss weight) and the outcome of endoscopy confirmed the Helicobacter pylori gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Results: Among the 376 patients, 55.05% were positive for Helicobacter pylori and 12.5% were found to have gastroesophageal reflux disease. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the Helicobacter pylori positive population was 11.6 % compared to 13.61 % in the Helicobacter pylori negative population (p > 0.05). The biggest prevalence of this infection was in the 10–14 yrs age group (63.05%).
Conclusions: We found no significant difference in gastroesophageal reflux disease between children with and without Helicobacter pylori infection. Antral predominant nonatrophic gastritis is common in children.