introduction: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most widespread bacterial infections worldwide, therefore nowadays its prevalence was decreasing, mostly in developed countries. There are some studies which support that H pylori could favour the development of food allergy. Objectives To assess the relationship between H pylori infection and specific immunoglobulin E (Ig E) antibodies to food allergens in symptomatic children. Methods We conducted a prospective study of 394 symptomatic children (249 girls, age range 6 months-18 years), mostly with uninvestigated dyspepsia requiring an endoscopic evaluation in our unit, from January to November 2016. All patients were evaluated for H pylori infection by at least two standard invasive tests and for specific immunoglobulin E antibodies to major food allergens ( R-biopharm, Germany). The nutritional status of patients was assessed in all cases by the new World Health Organisation (WHO, 2007) growth charts. EPI-INFO version 7 was used for statistical analysis. Results Active H pylori infection was documented in 246 (62,3%) cases. The allergic sensitisation to at least one of the food allergens was identified in 134 of 394 patients (34%). The majority of Ig E positive children (109 of 134 cases; 81,3%) were positive for cow’s milk followed by egg (17,9%), wheat (7,46%), peanut (4,5%), soybean (3,73%). The allergic sensitisation to food allergens was associated with abnormal levels of specific Ig E antibodies to common inhalatory allergens in 55 of 134 cases (41,04%). Regarding the association of H pylori infection with an elevated serum Ig E level to at least one of the food allergens tested, there was no significant correlation (p=0,14). 77 of 134 (31,30%) patients positive for food specific Ig E antibodies were H pylori infected and 57 of them (38,55%) were H pylori negative (Fisher exact test=0,08). The assessment of the patients nutritional profile in relationship with H pylori infection and food allergy not revealed a statistically significant effect on the two ends of the poor nutritional status (undernutrition and overnutrition). Conclusions This endoscopic series revealed that the recent decline of H pylori infection observed in developed countries is not evident in our symptomatic children. There was no association between H pylori infection and Ig E mediated food allergy. Undernutrition and overnutrition were not associated with the H pylori infection and food allergy in our patients.

Background and aims: Although Helicobacter pylori continues to be one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, its incidence decreased recently in developed countries. The aim of this study is to assess the evolution of yearly prevalence of H pylori infection in symptomatic children evaluated endoscopically during 2001 - 2008. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 688 consecutive symptomatic children (age range 6 months - 18 years; F/M=418/270) who required first upper endoscopy for various symptoms. The H pylori status was assessed by rapid urease test and histological examination. The prevalence changes of H pylori infection and their correlations with demographic characteristics and socioeconomic conditions were evaluated. Results: H pylori infection was identified in 412 (59,88%) of the 688 consecutive investigated children. Its yearly prevalence varied from 56,16% to 77,77% (p=0,242), with 70,29% in the last studied year. The following yearly values were observed: 56,16%, 48,38%, 46,25%, 46,42%, 49,01%, 77,77%, 70,29%. The prevalence of H pylori increased with age from 16,86% in the group 6 months - 3 years, to 36,48% for 15 - 18 years. The colonization rate was inversely correlated with the socioeconomic status (p< 0,005). Conclusions: The recent decline of H pylori infection observed in developed countries is not evident in our study, probably because the recent local economical changes did not result in sufficient decrease of its prevalence. The increase of the annual prevalence of H pylori infection in children can be probably justified by better diagnosis and by the selective character of the study.

Background and aims: Nowadays numerous studies demonstrate unexpected modifications of nutritional deficiencies in children. This study aimed at determining the nutritional profile in symptomatic children submitted for the first upper endoscopy (EGD) in our unit during the last 3 years (2007 - 2009). Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 232 consecutive symptomatic children (149 girls, age range 2-18 years). Socioeconomic status, dietary and clinical data were analyzed. Weight, height, body mass index (BMI) for age and sex were recorded according to growth charts (CDC, 2000). H pylori was confirmed by urease test and histological examination. Results: The nutritional status of the patients had the following repartition: 60 children (25,86%) were underweight (BMI less than 5th percentile), 130 (56,03%) had healthy weight, 27 (11,63%) were at risk of becoming overweight and 15 children (6,46%) were overweight (BMI greater than the 95th percentile). Of the 232 patients, 166 (71,55%) had documented H pylori infection. This was inversely correlated with socioeconomic status (p< 0,005) and was mostly associated with normal nutritional status (57,22%) compared with undernutrition and overnutrition (19,87% and 22,89%, respectively). Conclusions: This endoscopic series shows a high prevalence rate of both undernutrition (26,86%) and overnutrition (18,09%) in children with abdominal complaints. Unexpectedly, the overnutrition was observed in a higher proportion in H pylori infected children.