Helicobacter heilmannii gastroduodenal disease and clinical aspects in children with dyspeptic symptoms

AIM: To evaluate the occurrence and clinical characteristics of Helicobacter heilmannii infection among children presenting with dyspeptic symptoms. METHOD: Prospective cohort study of 580 patients. RESULTS: Of all examined dyspeptic children, 26.4% were infected with spiral-shaped organisms, and 0.9% of patients were found to be infected with spiral H. heilmannii-like organisms. CONCLUSION: In children with dyspeptic symptoms, the possible presence of gastroduodenal disease due to H. heilmannii should be considered. Further studies are needed to clarify H. heilmannii-related gastroduodenal pathology in the paediatric population.