Identifying Helicobacter pylori-status in children with functional dyspepsia

Aim — to investigate non-invasive diagnostic tests for Н. pylori (Н. pylori) infection: the ¹³C-urea breath test, stool antigen tests, serological tests and to determine Н. pylori-status in children with functional dyspepsia. Materials and methods. 68 children with functional dyspepsia aged 6–17 years were examined. To detect H. pylori infection, benchmark invasive methods were used along with the non-invasive such as the ¹³C-urea breath test, stool antigen tests, tests for serum IgA, IgG and CagA IgG antibodies to Н. pylori. The sensitivity and specificity of each non-invasive test were evaluated. Results. 60 children were recognized as Н. pylori-(+). The ¹³C-urea breath test showed high sensitivity and specificity — 93.2 and 77.8%, respectively. The sensiti­vity of tests for serum IgG and IgA antibodies to Н. pylori was 74.5 and 63.6%, respectively, and specificity was 46.2 and 38.5%, respectively. Conclusions. H. pylori-(+) status determined by non-invasive tests in children with functional dyspepsia can serve as a criterion for selecting such patients for anti-H. pylori therapy. Non-invasive methods are interchangeable, but when determining H. pylori status they can complement each other.