Association between Gastric pH and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children.
10.5223/pghn.2015.18.4.246
- Author:
Ji Hyun SEO
1
;
Heung Keun PARK
;
Ji Sook PARK
;
Jung Sook YEOM
;
Jae Young LIM
;
Chan Hoo PARK
;
Hyang Ok WOO
;
Hee Shang YOUN
;
Jin Su JUN
;
Gyung Hyuck KO
;
Seung Chul BAIK
;
Woo Kon LEE
;
Myung Je CHO
;
Kwang Ho RHEE
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea. hsyoun@gnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Urease test;
Helicobacter pylori;
Child;
Gastric juice;
Hypochlorhydria
- MeSH:
Achlorhydria;
Biopsy;
Child*;
Fasting;
Gastric Juice;
Gastritis;
Helicobacter pylori*;
Helicobacter*;
Humans;
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*;
Urease
- From:Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
2015;18(4):246-252
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
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.
