2022, Vol. 4, Issue 1, Part D

Background: H. pylori has been shown to play a major role in the pathogenesis of gastric atrophy, chronic diarrhea, and growth retardation in children. The present study was conducted to assess H. pylori in children with diarrhoea.

Materials and Methods: 84 children with acute bacterial gastroenteritis due to Salmonella or Shigella of both genders were enrolled. 2 groups were formed. Group I were H. pylori with diarrhoea and group II were with no history of diarrhea and no bacterial growth in their stool cultures. Stool samples were collected and assessment of H. pylori was done.

Results: Group I had 22 boys and 20 girls and group II had 18 boys and 24 girls. Shigella infection was seen in 17 in group I and 5 in group II, salmonella infection 25 in group I and 7 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). +ve stool antigen and -ve stool antigen with bottle feed was seen in 6 and 10, with breast feed in 10 and 6, with both bottle & breast feed was in 0 and 8, with mixed (milk+ solid) in 20 and 4 and with solid food in 18 and 2 respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a gram-negative bacillus and one of the most common cause of diarrhoea in children.