Clin Pediatr Hematol Oncol.  2008 Oct;15(2):83-91.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children with Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

• Park SJ
• Baek HJ
• Lee SU
• Han DK
• You JH
• Park EY
• Kim SY
• Kook H
• Hwang TJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: A high prevalence of H. pylroi infection has been reported in adult patients with chronic ITP (cITP). Eradication of H. pylori in adult refractory cITP patients resulted in remission of thrombocytopenia in as much as 50% of cases. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between H. pylori infection and cITP in Korean children and to evaluate the effect of H. pylori eradication on the platelet recovery.
METHODS
For diagnosis of H. pylori infection, an EIA for H. pylori antigens in stool and urea breath test were performed. If one of the tests was positive, combined eradication therapy consisting of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and pantoprazole was administered for 2 weeks.
RESULTS
Twenty-one children with cITP were assessed for H. pylori infection (male, 9; female 12) with a median age of 6 years (range, 1~11 years). The median platelet counts were 27,000/microliter (1,000~102,000/microliter), and the median duration of cITP was 46 months (10~124 months). H. pylori infection was found in 4 patients (19.0%). Two children received eradication therapy, but their platelet counts remain decreased for more than 1 year. Another patient recovered spontaneously to normal levels without eradication.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Korean children with cITP was not high. Our study with limited number failed to demonstrate a direct relationship between H. pylori infection and cITP. However, further studies involving larger number of cases should be warranted to delineate the exact role of H. pylori infection in pediatric cITP.

Keyword

Helicobactor pylori; Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

MeSH Terms

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles
Adult
Amoxicillin
Blood Platelets
Breath Tests
Child
Clarithromycin
Female
Helicobacter
Helicobacter pylori
Humans
Platelet Count
Prevalence
Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic
Thrombocytopenia
Urea
2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles
Amoxicillin
Clarithromycin
Urea