Peptic disease: comparative study between children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES: To make a comparative analysis of clinical and endoscopic data in peptic disease in a group of children (CR) and adolescents (AD).MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 children and 76 adolescents with peptic disease were studied between August 1992 and November 1994. In all cases the diagnosis was confirmed by endoscopic and histologic examination. Clinical data referring abdominal pain (localization, degree of intensity, chronicity and related symptons) were compared in both groups. Statistical analysis was done by the Fisher Test (significance value p< 0.05).RESULTS: Findings referring to predominance in the female sex (66% in group CR versus 70% in group AD), duration of pain between 2 and 6 months (40% CR versus 38% AD), intensive degree of pain (70% CR versus 83% AD) and presence of vomiting and nausea (42% CR versus 55% AD) were similar in both groups. Epigastric pain was predominant in AD (87%) versus CR (63%) with significant difference p=0.012. The endoscopic findings were normal in 30% of CR and 14% AD (p=0.052). Light to moderate gastritis was significantly more common in AD (72%) than CR (37%) (p=0.01). In the CR group, there was mainly antral nodular gastritis while in AD the diffuse form was more frequent. Bulbar duodenitis was present in 10% CR and 12% AD, but it was more erosive and serious in children. Peptic ulceration was found in 16% of CR (2 gastritis and 3 duodenal) and 7% AD (1 gastric and 4 duodenal) (p=0.067). H. pylori colonization was more frequent in AD (52%) than in CR (36%) (p=0.195).CONCLUSIONS: 1) epigastric pain is the main symptom in both groups; 2) endoscopic findings may be normal especially in the childreńs group; 3) antral nodular gastritis is the predominant type in children while in adolescents it is diffuse gastritis; 4) H. pylori colonization is present in 1/3 of children and 1/2 of adolescents with peptic disease; 5) in both groups ulcers are more frequent in the duodenum.     

Is a complete trauma series indicated for all pediatric trauma victims?

OBJECTIVE: Trauma series radiographs (ie, lateral cervical spine, anteroposterior chest, and anteroposterior pelvis) are routinely recommended for victims of multiple trauma. However, the utility of the chest and pelvic radiographs has never been adequately evaluated. The purpose of this study is to determine whether clinical findings alone predict the results of these radiographs. METHODS: The pediatric radiology department at the Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, maintains a log of all patients who have undergone a complete trauma series. From this group, we selected all patients younger than 2 years with a Glasgow Coma Scale greater than 14 points. The patients' emergency department charts were reviewed to note the presence or absence of localizing signs and symptoms referable to the chest and pelvis, including chest or pelvic pain, tenderness, ecchymoses or abrasions, shortness of breath or other respiratory symptoms, hematuria or difficulty voiding, and abdominal distention. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 91 subjects (18%) had localizing chest findings. Two of these patients had positive chest radiographs, whereas the 75 patients without localizing chest findings had no positive chest radiographs (P < 0.03). Thirty-two of 91 subjects (35%) had localizing pelvic signs. Five of these patients had positive pelvic radiographs, whereas the 56 patients without localizing pelvic signs had no positive pelvic radiographs (P < 0.01). The negative predictive value of localizing signs and symptoms was 100% for both chest and pelvic radiographs. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that if an adequate examination can be performed, trauma series radiographs can be ordered selectively, based on the patient's clinical findings.     

Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic gastritis: clinical, serological, and histologic correlations in children treated with amoxicillin and colloidal bismuth subcitrate

Twenty-three children with Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori-associated chronic gastritis are reported. Family history of peptic disease, previous digestive procedures, and nonspecific epigastric pain were the most frequently encountered clinical features. Antral nodularity at endoscopy and histologic evidence of follicular gastritis were characteristic morphological aspects. Rapid urease tests suggested the diagnosis in 90% of patients. Significant increases of serum IgG and IgA against Helicobacter pylori allowed the identification of infected children with 95% cumulative sensitivity. Treatment with amoxicillin and bismuth subcitrate eradicated the infection and improved gastritis in 13 of 19 children. These findings provide further evidence for the etiologic role of Helicobacter pylori in chronic antral gastritis in children.     

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in children: indications and results

OBJECTIVE: To present and discuss the indications, the endoscopic and histologic findings and the complications of upper digestive endoscopies carried out in children and adolescents.METHODS: We have done 228 endoscopies in pediatric patients with ages between 3 months to 19 years (x=5.7 y) during a period of 8 months. General anesthesia was used in 80% of patients (182). Biopsies were done in 210 patients and the Helicobacter pylori was searched for in 130 patients by antral biopsies with Hematoxylin-Eosin coloration.RESULTS: The endoscopy indication was diagnostic in all patients, and in 18 cases there was some therapeutic procedure. Fifty-eight percent of examinations presented endoscopic alteration and 84% had abnormal histologic findings. The most frequent endoscopic findings were esophagitis in 50 patients, gastritis in 44 and duodenitis in 29. Ten peptic ulcers were diagnosed. Between the histologic findings the most frequent ones were gastritis in 87 patients, esophagitis in 50 and atrophy of duodenal mucosa in 9. The H. pylori was positive in 25 (19.2%) patients.CONCLUSION: The upper digestive endoscopy has become an essential procedure to the pediatric gastroenterology practice, amplifying the available diagnostic means and enabling therapeutic endoscopy in the presence of upper digestive lesions. In the present report, 58% of the studied population presented some endoscopic lesion.     

Helicobacter pylori infection in recurrent abdominal pain

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is associated with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer in adults and in children. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the association of recurrent abdominal pain and H. pylori infection in children and to evaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment in patients with evidence of infection. METHODS: The clinical and histopathologic findings in children who underwent diagnostic upper endoscopy for recurrent abdominal pain were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with evidence of infection with H. pylori were treated with a combination of omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. Efficacy of treatment was assessed using the 13C-urea-breath test. RESULTS: H. pylori was found in histopathologic sections of 29 (40%) of 73 patients undergoing diagnostic endoscopy for recurrent abdominal pain. Five children (17%) were of Swiss ethnic origin, and 24 (83%) were non-Swiss. All the infected patients had chronic gastritis and 4 (14%) had ulcerations in the duodenum. Treatment with omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin resulted in eradication of the infection in all and in resolution of the clinical symptoms in 15 (80%) of 19 patients who had a follow-up examination. CONCLUSIONS: The presented data suggest that gastritis induced by H. pylori may be associated with recurrent abdominal pain and that in Switzerland infections with H. pylori primarily involve persons who are non-Swiss. A combined therapy results in eradication of the bacterium and in improvement of the clinical symptoms in a significant majority of the patients.     

Endoscopic nodular gastritis: an endoscopic indicator of high-grade bacterial colonization and severe gastritis in children with Helicobacter pylori

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of endoscopic nodular gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: This prospective study included 185 children (50.8% boys) aged 1 to 12 years (mean, 6.9 +/- 3.0 years) who underwent upper intestinal endoscopy during evaluation of chronic abdominal pain. The authors assessed the endoscopic appearance of the stomach, noting those patients with endoscopic nodular gastritis. Urease activity of gastric mucosal biopsies was measured. With histologic examination, the presence and density of H. pylori organisms, the presence of follicular gastritis, the nature of inflammation, and the gastritis activity grade and overall gastritis score were assessed. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was identified in 50 children (27%). Endoscopic nodular gastritis was significantly associated with active chronic gastritis and follicular gastritis. Nodularity in the stomach showed a high specificity (98.5%) and positive predictive value (91.7%) for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection and was observed in 22 of 50 (44%) H. pylori-positive patients and in 2 of 135 (1.5%) H. pylori-negative patients. A significant association was observed between older age and the prevalence of this finding (P< 0.001). There was a significant increase in endoscopic nodular gastritis with increased H. pylori density and a positive correlation (Pearson coefficient = 0.97) with increased gastritis score on histologic examination. Increase in gastritis score was dependent on increased H. pylori density in patients with gastric nodularity; this finding was independent of age. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic findings of antral nodularity in children suggest the presence of H. pylori infection and follicular gastritis and may identify cases of severe gastritis and marked bacterial colonization.     

Comparison of invasive and non-invasive tests diagnosis and monitoring of Helicobacter pylori infection in children

BACKGROUND: There are few reports which the tests used for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection and monitoring its eradication in children. STUDY AIMS: Prospective evaluation of invasive (gastric histology, rapid urease test [RUT]) and non-invasive (stool antigen [FemtoLab H. pylori], urea breath test [UBT]) tests in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection and post-treatment eradication in children and adolescents. METHODS: Ninety-two patients (50 male, 42 female) referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were prospectively enrolled. UBT was performed and stool specimens collected for monoclonal enzyme immunoassay for H. pylori antigen (FemtoLab) 1 to 4 days before endoscopy. H. pylori in gastric biopsies was evaluated by RUT and staining with hematoxylin-eosin and giemsa. Eradication therapy was given to children with abdominal pain and H. pylori gastritis. FemtoLab H. pylori and UBT were repeated 6 weeks after the end of triple therapy. RESULTS: Histology identified H. pylori in 49 of 92 (53%) subjects. Concordance between histology and RUT was found in 78 of 92 children. FemtoLab H. pylori was positive in 41 of 78 (52.6%) children with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 97.5%, 94.7%, 95.1% and 97.3%, respectively. For UBT, these values were 100%, 96.9%, 97.5% and 100%, respectively. Twenty-six of 36 patients who received triple therapy returned for eradication evaluation. Tests for H. pylori antigen in stool were positive in 10 of 26 and for UBT in 11 of 26. CONCLUSION: Stool antigen (FemtoLab) and UBT were equally effective in diagnosing and confirming eradication of H. pylori infection in children.     

Nature and extent of gastric lesions in symptomatic Chilean children with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis

Chile has one of the highest rates of gastric cancer in the world and most children and adolescents in the country are colonized by Helicobacter pylori. This study assessed the nature and extent of the gastric lesions in 73 consecutive patients aged 5-17 y, referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Their H. pylori-associated gastric pathology was characterized and these data were compared with their sociodemographic status. Endoscopic assessment was normal in 43 patients while in 30 there was a variety of mucosal lesions. Sixty patients (83%) had histological chronic gastritis of the antrum and in 45 (63%) the lesions also involved the gastric corpus; 90% of patients with chronic gastritis were colonized by H. pylori. Although most of these patients had epithelial erosions and dedifferentiation of the pit epithelium, atrophy and metaplasia were not found. Patients' socioeconomic status was inversely correlated with their rate of colonization by H. pylori (p < 0.005), the frequency of gastric lesions on endoscopy (p < 0.01) and the frequency of involvement of antral and corpus mucosa by chronic gastritis (p < 0.002). This latter feature was positively correlated with age (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study shows a high frequency of extensive lesions of H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis in young Chilean patients. This histological picture is consistent with the hypothesis of a H. pylori-associated progressive gastric pathology which may represent a major factor in the high local rate of gastric cancer.     

Chest pain of gastrointestinal origin.

Twenty seven children who had been diagnosed as having idiopathic chest pain were investigated to find out if the pain was of gastrointestinal origin. The symptoms had lasted from two weeks to eight months. In 21 of the 27 children (78%) the chest pain had a gastrointestinal cause: 16 had oesophagitis, four had gastritis, and one had diffuse oesophageal spasm. All patients responded to medical treatment of their gastrointestinal symptoms, resulting in disappearance of the chest pain.     

Helicobacter pylori and nonulcer dyspepsia in childhood: clinical pattern, diagnostic techniques, and bacterial strains

BACKGROUND: This is a report of the results of a multicenter study performed in children with dyspepsia from five pediatric centers in Puglia, a region in southern Italy. In the study, clinical features of Helicobacter pylori infection, the reliability of diagnostic techniques, and the involvement of bacterial strains were examined. METHODS: Fifty-three outpatients with dyspepsia enrolled in our study and compiled a diary recording clinical symptoms in patients before they underwent the following diagnostic techniques: endoscopy, biopsy for histologic analysis, rapid urease test, 13C urea breath test, serology specific for immunoglobulin (Ig)G and anti-CagA and VacA. RESULTS: H. pylori showed a prevalence of 30.2% (n = 16). Histologic positivity was seen in all patients at the antral level (H. pylori-associated chronic gastritis). In the gastric body, bacterial chronic active gastritis was present only in six patients (H. pylori-associated chronic pangastritis). Clinical evaluation showed a significant difference in favor of subjects positive for H. pylori only for epigastric burning and/or pain (p < 0.001). The comparison of results of diagnostic tests, using histology as the gold standard, showed sensitivity and specificity of more than 93% for 13C urea breath test and more than 85% for rapid urease test and serology. Anti-CagA antibodies were found in 64.3% and anti-VacA antibodies in 42.8% of H. pylori-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori prevalence in children with dyspepsia from the geographic area studied is comparable with that found in other developed countries. Approximately 50% of the studied patients were infected by cytotoxic strains. The urea breath test was the most reliable noninvasive diagnostic tool and is suitable for routine use, although endoscopy with histologic assessment remains the definitive investigation and is particularly important in patients with positive serology for CagA and VacA. Finally, the frequency of aggressive strains in our region seems to affect the clinical pattern; this emphasizes the importance of definitive diagnosis in children and offers a new role for serology.     

Treatment of Campylobacter pylori-associated antral gastritis in children with bismuth subsalicylate and ampicillin

We evaluated the efficacy of medical therapy, consisting of liquid bismuth subsalicylate prescribed either in combination with oral ampicillin (n = 15) or alone (n = 1), in the clearing of bacterial colonization on the antrum in 16 children with Campylobacter pylori-associated antral gastritis. We also examined the effects of medical treatment on altering the severity of associated antral inflammation. Eight patients had upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, two had acute gastric outlet obstruction, and 10 had symptoms of episodic epigastric abdominal pain. Duodenal ulcers were demonstrated in 10 of the 16 patients; in the other six, C. pylori-associated antral gastritis was documented without evidence of acute peptic ulceration. Seven days after a 6-week course of medical therapy, repeat upper endoscopy plus mucosal biopsy specimens showed that C. pylori colonization of the antrum had cleared in 12 of the 16 (75%) patients. Inflammation in the antrum improved in all patients in whom colonization by C. pylori was eradicated. In contrast, in the four with persistent colonization of the antrum, the severity of antral gastritis had not improved (p less than 0.01). Clinical symptoms improved in 9 of 12 patients in whom C. pylori colonization was no longer present, whereas subjective symptoms were unaffected in those with continued bacterial colonization of the antrum (p less than 0.05). We conclude that oral bismuth subsalicylate, in conjunction with ampicillin, can eradicate C. pylori colonization of the antrum, and that clearing of C. pylori is correlated with an improvement in the associated antral gastritis and clinical symptoms. These findings provide additional support for the hypothesis that these gastric organisms could play an etiologic role in primary antral gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.     

Usefulness of myocardial perfusion imaging with exercise testing in children

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) provides additional clinical information on children with cardiac disease but will not benefit children with chest pain and normal cardiac studies. This study reviewed all technetium-99?m ((99m)Tc) sestamibi stress MPI studies between 2004 and 2010 performed in association with graded exercise testing (86% with bicycle ergometer, 14% with treadmill). A positive test was defined as a perfusion defect or abnormal ventricular function response. Clinical records were reviewed, including follow-up assessment to determine accuracy of MPI interpretation. False-positive and false-negative rates were recorded. A total of 197 patients (mean age, 13.4?±?3.6?years, 70% male) underwent 218 MPI studies. Group A had 42 patients (43 studies) with isolated chest pain and normal studies. Of the 43 studies, 39 had negative results, and 4 had false-positive results. Group B had 155 patients (175 studies) with known or suspected cardiac disease, and 39 tests (33 patients) had positive results. Whereas 32 studies were considered true-positive, 7 were false-positive. There was one false-negative test. According to the findings, (99m)Tc sestamibi MPI studies are clinically useful but not perfect tests in the setting of known or suspected cardiac disease based on clinical evaluation, electrocardiography (ECG), or echocardiography. Children who had isolated chest pain with a normal ECG and echocardiogram often have false-positive studies.     

“Myocardial Infarction” in Adolescents: Do We Have the Correct Diagnosis?

The evaluation of adolescents with chest pain, elevated cardiac enzymes, and abnormal electrocardiograms (ECGs) continues to pose diagnostic and management dilemmas. Myocardial infarction is an uncommon finding in this population and alternative diagnoses must be considered. Our database was retrospectively reviewed for adolescents age 16–18 years without prior cardiac history who underwent cardiac catherization. Patients who presented with chest pain, elevated cardiac enzymes, normal ejection fraction, and abnormal ECGs were included. Management, diagnostic testing, and final diagnosis were reviewed. Nine adolescents (eight males and one female) without prior cardiac history were identified. The ECG findings in all patients were consistent with myocardial ischemia in a coronary distribution. Thrombotic coronary occlusion was not found in any patient. In adolescents without prior cardiac history of risk factors for myocardial infarction such as Kawasaki disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, or drug use who present with chest pain, multiple diagnoses must be considered even in the presence of focal ischemic ECG changes and elevated cardiac enzymes. Thrombolytic therapy or anticoagulation should be withheld until a definitive diagnosis of myocardial infarction has been made. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most useful tool to differentiate focal myocarditis from myocardial infarction.     

Diagnostic Yield of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in the Evaluation of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Older Children and Adolescents

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is frequent in childhood. Inadequate nutrition and gastrointestinal malabsorption are the frequent causes of IDA in children. But reduced iron absorption and insidious blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract has been identified as the most frequent causes of IDA in older children and adolescents. Therefore the authors evaluated the frequency and etiologies of the upper gastrointestinal system pathologies causing IDA in older pediatric population. Patients with known hematological or chronic diseases, heavy menstrual flow, and obvious blood loss were excluded from the study. Forty-four children between the ages of 9.5 and 17.5 years and diagnosed with IDA were enrolled. They underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy from esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Mean age and hemoglobin (Hb) levels of study group (32 boys, and 12 girls) were 14.6 ± 2.0 years and 7.9 ± 1.8 g/dL, respectively. Only 1 patient had a positive serology testing with anti-tissue transglutaminase and small bowel biopsy correlating with celiac disease. Endoscopy revealed abnormal findings in 25 (56.8%) patients (21 endoscopic antral gastritis, 2 active duodenal ulcers, and 2 duodenal polyps). Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection was identified by using antral histopathological evaluation in 19 of 44 children (43.2%). In 2 of duodenal samples, one patient had celiac disease, and the other one was diagnosed as giardiasis. In conclusion, there are different etiologies resulting in IDA in older children and adolescents. When older children and adolescents are found to have iron deficiency, HP infection and other gastrointestinal pathologies should be ruled out before iron deficiency treatment.     

Management and response to treatment of Helicobacter pylori gastritis.

Gastritis associated with Helicobacter pylori was present in gastric biopsies from 24/95 (25%) children and adolescents undergoing endoscopy for recurrent abdominal pain and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. H pylori associated gastritis occurred mainly in older children (8-16 years) and was significantly associated with low socioeconomic class and a family history of peptic ulcer disease. Antral nodularity was a common endoscopic finding in H pylori positive children. Eighteen children, all over 5 years of age, were treated with tripotassium dicitratobismuthate (De-Nol) for two months and ampicillin for two weeks. In 12 children follow up gastric biopsies were obtained six weeks after completion of treatment. In 9/12 (75%) children H pylori was eradicated, and gastritis improved.     

Chest pain in children referred to a cardiology clinic

One hundred consecutive patients (54 girls, 46 boys) referred to a pediatric cardiology department with the primary complaint of chest pain were evaluated. The age distribution was 2.5–16.0 years (mean 11.3 years for girls and 9.9 years for boys). The history showed 17% of patients with chest pain, 22% with heart disease, and 19% with recent death in the family. The time course of the pain was longer than 1 week in 92 patients. Localization was on the left precordium in 60 patients, and there was no radiation from the original site in 66 cases. Ninety-two percent of cases were idiopathic in origin. Of the 74 patients who had a psychiatric interview, 55 (74%) had psychiatric symptoms and 5 required psychiatric care. Anxiety, conversion disorder, and depression were the main psychiatric symptoms.     

Symptomatology of Helicobacter pylori infection in children

In a retrospective evaluation we reviewed the symptomatology of 143 children (age 2–15 years, mean 8.9 years) who were referred to us for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because of recurrent abdominal pain with a duration of 6 weeks or longer. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed in 36 out of 143 patients (25.2%). No statistically significant differences could be detected between the symptoms experienced by the 36 H. pylori-infected children and those experienced by the remaining 107 H.pylori-negative pediatric patients (p = 0.18–0.60). We conclude that no specific symptoms are associated with H. pylori gastritis in children. Our observations suggest that the recurrent abdominal complaints found in children with H. pylori infection seem to be caused by the secondary gastroduodenal pathology, rather than by H. pylori infection itself.     

Esophageal chest pain in children with asthma

Sixteen patients with asthma and chest pain of greater than 2 months duration underwent gastroenterological evaluation utilizing fiber-optic esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), esophageal manometry, and Bernstein testing. Eleven of 16 patients (75%) had endoscopic and histologic evidence of esophagitis. One patient with esophagitis exhibited high-amplitude peristaltic contractions during motility testing. Four of these 11 patients (36%) had a positive Bernstein test. Extended intraesophageal pH monitoring of seven patients with esophagitis revealed significant gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in all of these patients. Chest pain was associated with an episode of GER in three patients (43%). Nine of 11 patients (82%) with esophagitis responded to medical therapy, resulting in resolution of esophageal inflammation and chest pain. One patient required Nissen fundoplication surgery after failure of medical therapy, and one patient who refused surgery progressively developed more severe esophagitis during 9 months of medical therapy. Children with asthma may have chest pain due to gastroesophageal reflux-associated esophagitis that usually responds to medical therapy.