IS DUODENAL GASTRIC METAPLASIA A CONSEQUENCE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION IN CHILDREN

Background: Duodenal gastric metaplasia (DGM) is commonly found in ass ociation with Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-associated gastritis in adults, DGM is also considered a risk factor for duodenal ulcer development, The prevalence of DGM in children and its association with gastritis, duodenitis, or the presence of Hp organisms is not clear, We investiga ted the prevalence of DGM in children and explore its association with several possible risk factors, including age, gender, gastritis, duod enitis, or Hp presence in the gastric antrum, Methods: A retrospective analysis of 173 upper endoscopy procedures performed between 1993 and 1995 at Cabell Huntington Hospital, Huntington, WV, was done, Gastric and duodenal biopsies were stained with Giemsa for Hp detection, peri odic acid-Schiff for DGM, and hematoxylin and eosin for histologic ass essment, Gastric mucosal inflammation was graded according to Sydney c riteria, Results: Duodenal gastric metaplasia was identified in 23 of 173 (13%) patients, Duodenitis but not age, gender, gastritis, or the presence of Hp in the gastric antrum was associated with DGM developme nt, In 4 of 23 DGM foci, Hp was identified, Conclusions: in children, DGM is not the consequence of Hp infection.