HELICOBACTER-PYLORI GASTRITIS IN DYSPEPTIC CHILDREN - A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP AFTER TREATMENT WITH COLLOIDAL BISMUTH SUBCITRATE AND TINIDAZOLE

The connection between dyspeptic symptoms and Helicobacter pylori infe ction was studied prospectively in 21 children treated for verified H. pylori infection with bismuth subcitrate and tinidazole. Gastroscopy with biopsy was performed before and a mean of 4 months after disconti nuation of the treatment. A second post-treatment check with determina tion of H. pylori antibodies and serum pepsinogen 1 level was made a m ean of 1.5 years after cessation of treatment. The therapy given clear ed the bacteria in 67% of the patients. No significant difference in s ymptoms was observed between treatment successes and failures. The his topathologic diagnosis of H. pylori infection was accompanied by posit ive IgG serology in 15 (75%) of the 20 patients tested, and a decrease in antibody levels was observed in children with successful eradicati on. Serum pepsinogen 1 seemed to be even a better marker in the follow -up. The healing of acute and also to some extent of chronic gastritis took place closely after successful eradication. Our results suggest that healing of H. py[ori-induced gastritis should be confirmed at ree ndoscopy only, independent of the symptoms.