Affiliation:
1. 1From the Department of Paediatrics, University College Dublin and The Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Furthermore, the World Health Organization has classified this organism as a carcinogen for gastric cancer. H pylori infection is mainly acquired in childhood. Children with H pyloriinfection are asymptomatic except for a very small number that develop peptic ulcer disease. However, if H pylori gastritis is associated with gastric cancer, do pediatricians need to screen children for this infection and treat those who are infected? In an attempt to determine the significance of the association betweenH pylori and gastric cancer, we have reviewed all of the English language literature on this topic. H pyloriinfection seems to be associated with an increased risk of developing gastric cancer. However, only a small number of infected individuals (∼1%) will develop gastric cancer. Furthermore, there are potential cofactors other than H pylori that could be equally important. The effect of the eradication of H pylorialone on the development of gastric cancer is unknown. Based on our knowledge to date, we suggest that it is not indicated to treat all children with H pylori infection because of the risk of developing gastric cancer or to institute a screening and treatment program.
Publisher
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Subject
Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
Cited by
60 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献