Utility of diagnostic tests for detection of Helicobacter pylori in children in northeastern Mexico

The presence of Helicobacter pylori in pediatric population has been associated with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) although this association is unclear. One of the major problems in studying the role of H. pylori in RAP is that methods used to detect the bacteria in children have poor sensitivity and specificity. The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of H. pylori in pediatric patients with RAP in northeastern Mexico and to assess the diagnostic utility of invasive tests and serology in this population. A total of 40 patients (mean age 7.9 years; range 2 - 16 years; F: M 0.81) who underwent an endoscopy procedure for RAP were studied. The presence of H. pylori was assessed using invasive diagnostic tests (culture rapid urease test polymerase chain reaction and histology) and one non-invasive test: determination of IgG antibodies. The prevalence of H. pylori in the present group and the diagnostic utility for each test were evaluated. The prevalence of H. pylori in the present pediatric group with RAP was 12.5 - 42.5% depending on the criteria of positivity used. The non-invasive methods (serology) had acceptable values in sensitivity and specificity in comparison with invasive tests. This is the first report on prevalence of H. pylori in pediatric patients with RAP from the northeastern region of Mexico. The prevalence of H. pylori was low compared with the adult population in the same geographic region. Serology had the best diagnostic utility. (authors)