<span class="hpylori-bold">H. pylori</span> in Children
H. pylori is a common chronic infection in children

- Transmitted predominantly among family members, and associated with crowded living conditions1-3
- Infection usually occurs in children younger than 10 years of age4
- May become chronic without treatment5
*Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III of children ages 6 to 19 years.
Consequences of H. pylori infection in children
May cause:
- Duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers5
- Progressive gastric mucosal damage5,6
Additional considerations:
- International studies suggest H. pylori may cause growth delay in children5,7
- Untreated childhood infection can lead to eventual development of malignancies such as gastric adenocarcinoma and gastric lymphoma6
Diagnosing H. pylori infection in children
- In most children, H. pylori infection is not clinically apparent, even when causing chronic active gastritis6
- Children may present with gnawing or burning pain in the epigastrium, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite8
- Look for transmission between mother and child and siblings, which is most common
- Another determinant is living in or originating from high-prevalence areas2

This is a simple test that detects active infection with H. pylori, a Class I carcinogen that may be one factor leading to gastric cancer.9-11
BreathTek UBT is indicated for children ages 3 to 17 years old and must be administered by a health care professional, as ordered by a licensed health care practitioner.9
H. pylori is one of many contributing factors to gastric cancer.10 Invasive and noninvasive H. pylori diagnostic tools are available. BreathTek UBT is a reliable, noninvasive option.9