Cases of gastritis and/or duodenitis associated with Helicobacter pylori infections in children were assessed. Among 855 patients aged 4-18 years with endoscopic diagnosis of gastritis, 248 (29%) were found to have Helicobacter pylori infection. The latter was diagnosed with the clo-test, biopsy specimen culture and PCR-test in several cases. Biopsy specimen morphology was assessed in all patients. Gastritis and/or duodenitis was found to be a common cause of chronic abdominal pain in children and in many cases it was associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The presence of endoscopic gastric mucosal nodularity may be suggestive of Helicobacter pylori infection, however this should be confirmed with a number of tests.

Keywords: gastritis and Helicobacter pylori infections in children, endoscopic findings, morphology, diagnostic tests