GASTRODUODENAL INFLAMMATION AND RELATED DISORDERS IN CHILDREN

This review summarizes important recent advances regarding stomach and intestinal disorders of childhood. The past year's pediatric literatu re was dominated by studies on Helicobacter pylori and celiac disease in children. There is increasing interest and data in the literature t o suggest that in contrast with H. pylori infection in adults, in chil dren such infection may be responsible or play a role in the pathogene sis of recurrent abdominal pain, In contrast to the association in adu lts the connection between H. pylori and pediatric gastric and duodena l ulcers is not as firm. Studies are also reviewed that suggest that i n developing countries H. pylori infection may play a role in the path ogenesis of recurrent diarrhea, malnutrition, and short stature, The s econd major area presented is celiac disease. There are a number of in teresting studies that have been reviewed, ranging from new diagnostic techniques to guidelines for screening children for the presence of c eliac disease, Some interesting data related to upper tract Crohn's di sease has also been included. It is clear from this review that furthe r well-controlled studies are needed before we can fully understand th e role of these entities in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal disease s in children.