[Helicobacter pylori infections in children in the tropical zone. Endoscopic and histological aspects].

AIMS: To assess the endoscopic and histological aspects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in children in a prospective study.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

One hundred and four children (6 months-15 years old), with digestive symptoms admitted to the Pediatric Department of the National Hospital of Ouagadougou between February Ist and October 31 1996, underwent upper digestive endoscopy with fundic and antral biopsies for histological and bacteriological analysis.

RESULTS

Endoscopy was normal in 80 cases (77%). No lesion was specific of H. pylori infection. Nodular gastritis was observed in 3% of the cases only. Duodenal ulcers were seen in 3 children (3%). 83% of the children had chronic antral gastritis, associates with H. pylori in 95% of the cases. The lesions were follicular gastritis (45%), mild atrophic gastritis (38.5%) and lymphocytic gastritis (1%). Follicular gastritis was more pronounced in the antrum than in the fundus.

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of early H. pylori infection and chronic gastritis in children contrasts with the rarity of gastric cancer in black Africa. Protective factors or peculiar strains should be searched for.