Helicobacter Pylori
Gilbert syndrome is an inherited liver condition that causes bilirubin to build up in the bloodHelicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, is a type of bacteria found in the stomachs of many people. This infection usually develops during childhood, but most people with H. pylori do not have symptoms, and their infection does not cause problems.
However, in some children and adults, H. pylori causes digestive illnesses, including gastritis, which is inflammation of the stomach lining. It can also cause ulcers in the stomach or first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum and on rare occasions it may cause bleeding. These conditions are uncommon in children, but they can cause painful symptoms. If H. pylori is not treated, it can raise the risks of stomach cancer later in life.. Bilirubin is formed through the normal bodily process of breaking down old blood cells. With Gilbert syndrome, bilirubin isn’t removed from the body after this process.
Gilbert syndrome is very common and usually does not cause health problems.
Symptoms
When children with H. pylori infections have symptoms, they may feel a burning pain in their stomach that comes and goes. This pain is more likely between meals and usually goes away when the child is eating or drinking. Pain may occur in the middle of the night, when the stomach is empty. Symptoms also may include:
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Bloating
Frequent burping
Some H. pylori symptoms may signal a more serious problem such as a perforated ulcer. This happens when the ulcer penetrates all the way through the wall of the stomach or duodenum. Go to the hospital right away if your child has:
Sharp, sudden, persistent stomach pain
Bloody or black stools
Bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
Diagnosis
Your specialist at Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital Center for Digestive Health and Nutrition will ask about your child’s symptoms and do a physical exam. They will also do one or more of the following tests:
Breath test. Your child blows into a special bag after drinking a lemon-flavored solution. Their breath is then analyzed for signs of an H. pylori infection.
Stool test. Testing a sample of your child’s stool can show if they have an H. pylori infection.
Upper endoscopy. During this test, the doctor looks at the stomach lining directly. While your child is sedated, the doctor passes a thin, flexible tube with a camera through their mouth to their stomach and the first part of their small intestine. The doctor may take a biopsy, which is a small sample of tissue to be analyzed in the lab for H. pylori infection.
Treatments
If your child has symptoms of an H. pylori infection, such as an ulcer or gastritis, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat it. The antibiotic resistance rate is on the rise thus it is important to treat it with a proper combination of medications. It’s important to follow your child’s treatment plan exactly to eliminate the infection and confirm its eradication
Antacids or drugs that neutralize or block stomach acids can help with the symptoms of an H. pylori infection. Do not give your child aspirin or ibuprofen, since they can irritate the stomach. It also helps to give your child five or six smaller meals a day, since symptoms often occur between meals when the stomach is empty.
Next Steps
At Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital Center for Digestive Health and Nutrition, our pediatric gastroenterologists recognize these infections and use the most effective diagnostic and treatment techniques for your child. Your team of experts will combine their skills to ensure that your child stays comfortable and recovers as quickly as possible from H. pylori.
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If you suspect that your child may have Meconium Ileus, make an appointment with an Orlando Health pediatrician today so your child can start on the road to improved health.