ABSTRACT

Aim:

We aimed to investigate the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms and Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in children with chronic renal failure.

Methods:

The study involved 33 patients with end-stage renal disease and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serological, endoscopic and demographic features of the patients were determined and gastrointestinal symptoms were questioned. HP IgG levels were evaluated in all patients and controls.

Results:

Twenty-seven peritoneal dialysis and 6 hemodialysis patients were included in the study. The HP seropositivity was 51.5% and 60.6% in uremic children and normal controls, respectively (p=0.46). Twenty patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and HP was detected in 30% of them. Dyspepsia was observed in 42.4% of all patients. In patients with dyspepsia, HP seropositivity rate was 57.1% and biopsy proven HP was 36.4%. Biopsy proven HP was determined in 60% of patients with positive serology and in one with negative serology.

Conclusion:

HP infection, which is common in our population and begins in early childhood, is found to be frequent in both patient and healthy groups. Even if asymptomatic, it is very important to determine and treat this infection, in these patients who are potential transplant candidates.