HELICOBACTER-PYLORI DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is responsible for one of the most fre quently encountered infectious diseases worldwide. H. pylori infection can lead to the development of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Th e presence of H. pylori in the human stomach also represents an increa sed risk for gastric cancer and gastric lymphoma. Epidemiologic data o btained in adults suggest that the actual colonization with H. pylori is in fact determined by childhood factors. Therefore, the pediatric a ge group represents the ideal target population for studies concerning the pathogenesis and epidemiology of H. pylori infection.