From the Publisher
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is responsible for one of the most frequently encountered infectious diseases world-wide. Infection with this organism can lead to the development of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. The presence of Helicobacter pylori in the human stomach also represents an increased risk for gastric cancer and gastric lymphoma. Epidemiological data obtained in adults suggest that the actual colonization with Helicobacter pylori is in fact determined by childhood factors. Therefore, the pediatric age group represents the ideal target population for studies concerning the pathogenesis and epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection. The present work reflects our experience with regard to the diagnosis, epidemiology and pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood and adds information to the actual knowledge about this disease. By investigating large series of asymptomatic children and young adults, we were able to determine that Helicobacter pylori is present in young children and that its prevalence increases with age. Significant differences exist in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori seropositivity between children of different ethnic background living in the same country. Almost 50% of first degree family members of children with Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis are positive for this bacterium. Anti-Helicobacter pylori specific IgG antibodies cross the placental barrier and disappear by the age of 3 months. However, despite the close personal contact with their mothers, children born from Helicobacter pylori positive women do not seem to have an increased risk to become actively infected with this bacterium during the first year of their life. In conclusion the present work demonstrates that Helicobacter pylori infection is an important issue of public health in children, both symptomatic and asymptomatic. Very recently it has been suggested that Helicobacter pylori might play an important role as co-factor in the evolution towards gastric cancer and -lymphoma. This is of special importance in view of the fact that asymptomatic carriers of Helicobacter pylori can harvest this infection for a long period of time. The possibility exists that these individuals might be at a greater risk for developing gastric cancer at a later stage in their life.

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