The clinical and histological spectrum of esophagitis in pediatrics. Some keys to its links to gastritis

The purpose of our study was to assess the clinical and histological spectrum of esophagitis, seeking possible links between esophagitis and gastritis particularly Helicobacter pylori-associated, in pediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 66 sequential and 63 gastric biopsies from 66 patients fulfilling the histological diagnosis of "esophagitis". Cases were arranged in two groups: G1 (H. pylori negative): N = 44 (27 m; 17 f), mean age 7.3 y (range 7-9 m-18 y) and G2 (H. pylori positive): N = 22 (16 f; 6 m), mean age 12.8 y (range 7-16 y). RESULTS: The bases for performing endoscopy and biopsies were as follows: in G1 (N44) symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in 24 cases and non-GER in 20 cases; in G2 (N = 22): symptoms of GER in 13 and non-GER in 9 cases. Esophageal endoscopic findings for G1 patients included: normal mucosa 39; esophagitis 3; congestive mucosa and esophagitis 1 each. Stomach endoscopic findings for G1 patients were normal mucosa 29; nodular antrum 7; congestive mucosa 4; ulceration 2; unknown 2. G2 children revealed nodular antrum 19; congestive antrum 2; normal mucosa 1. Histology of esophageal biopsies in G1 was esophagitis grade 1,35; grade 2,4; grade 3, 4, and grade 5, 1. G2 showed esophagitis grade 1,20, and grade 2,2. The histologic findings of the gastric biopsies were as follows: G1 (N = 41): normal mucosa 23; mild chronic gastritis 6; mucus depletion in the superficial 5; mild acute gastritis 3; hemorrhage 1; insufficient tissue 3. G2: chronic gastritis associated with H. pylori with or without follicular hyperplasia 21; mild gastritis 1. (AU)