Utility of diagnostic tests for detection of Helicobacter pylori in children in northeastern Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The presence of Helicobacter pylori in pediatric population has been associated with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP), although this association is unclear. One of the major problems in studying the role of H. pylori in RAP is that methods used to detect the bacteria in children have poor sensitivity and specificity. The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of H. pylori in pediatric patients with RAP in northeastern Mexico and to assess the diagnostic utility of invasive tests and serology in this population. METHODS: A total of 40 patients (mean age, 7.9 years; range 2-16 years; F: M, 0.81), who underwent an endoscopy procedure for RAP, were studied. The presence of H. pylori was assessed using invasive diagnostic tests (culture, rapid urease test, polymerase chain reaction and histology) and one non-invasive test: determination of IgG antibodies. The prevalence of H. pylori in the present group and the diagnostic utility for each test were evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori in the present pediatric group with RAP was 12.5-42.5% depending on the criteria of positivity used. The non-invasive methods (serology) had acceptable values in sensitivity and specificity in comparison with invasive tests. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on prevalence of H. pylori in pediatric patients with RAP from the northeastern region of Mexico. The prevalence of H. pylori was low compared with the adult population in the same geographic region. Serology had the best diagnostic utility.

[Medico-surgical consensus for management of children with gastroesophageal reflux Acapulco, Mexico 2002]. / Consenso médico quirúrgico para el manejo de niños con reflujo gastroesofágico--Acapulco, México 2002.

UNLABELLED: Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common disease in children less one year old. It is present around 10% of unselected infant population. 40-50% have abnormal 24 h pH monitoring. An early diagnosis and treatment should be done in order to avoid complications. AIM: To establish the consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of children with GER, to rule out similar diseases avoid the use of unnecessary drugs and the secondary side effects as well as unnecessary surgery. METHOD: The consensus was done with the participation of general pediatricians, pediatrics gastroenterologist, pediatric surgeons, radiologist and endoscopist. An initial paper was done by pediatric surgeon and pediatric gastroenterologist who submitted to the rest of participants. Second stage: the paper was review through E-mail for all participants who send their suggestions and modifications. A new paper was done and discussed by medical and surgery area. During the Congress of Pediatric Surgery, in an open session was discuss again with the participation of the main authors and all the audience present. Finally, a paper was done and review for the main authors.

Divertículo de Meckel. Estudio de 61 casos / Meckel diverticulum. A study of sixty-one cases

Antecedentes: El divertículo de Meckel es una verdadera urgencia pediátrica, dado que se presenta como sangrado de tubo digestivo bajo anemizante y oclusión intestinal. Objetivo: Conocer la frecuencia, forma de presentación, complicaciones y métodos diagnósticos del divertículo de Meckel. Método: Se revisaron los expedientes de 61 niños que acudieron al Instituto Nacional de Pediatría durante un periodo de 10 años. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, manifestaciones clínicas, complicaciones, biometría hemática, gammagrafía (tecnecio 99), tipo de mucosa (histología) y localización. Resultados: Predominó el sexo masculino (3:1). En lactantes, la manifestación clínica más frecuente fue sangrado de tubo digestivo bajo, y en preescolares y escolares la de oclusión intestinal. En los niños con sangrado de tubo digestivo bajo se encontró predominantemente mucosa gástrica en el divertículo en tanto que en los de oclusión intestinal mucosa ileal. El mejor procedimiento diagnóstico en los pacientes con sangrado de tubo digestivo bajo anemizante fue la gammagrafía con tecnecio 99, previa administración de bloqueador H2. Conclusiones: En lactantes con sangrado de tubo digestivo bajo anemizante debe pensarse como primera posibilidad en divertículo de Meckel, en tanto que en niños mayores deberá descartarse éste en un cuadro de oclusión. El mejor procedimiento diagnóstico fue la gammagrafía con tecnecio 99