ABSTRACT

The positive correlation detected between the level of DOB values and the density of H. pylori and inflammatory activity can be an advantage for detecting the severity of disease

193 children with a mean age of 13.50±2.98 years were included in the analysis. Of these, 71 (36.8%) patients had a positive UBT and 122 (63.2%) had a negative UBT. EGD was performed in 60 out of 71 patients with positive UBT and in 30 out of 122 patients with negative UBT. The sensitivity and specificity of UBT were 85.1% and 100%. DOB was found to be a significant predictor of moderate/ marked H. pylori density at a cutoff value of 6%.

UBT was administered to 200 children who presented with epigastric pain and/or nausea. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed in patients. UBT results were compared with histopathological findings. In the Area Under the ROC Curve analysis, a cutoff DOB value was found for the severity of H. pylori infection.

Although severe forms of the disease are seen in adults, the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is usually acquired during childhood. Therefore, prompt diagnosis of H. pylori infection in childhood is of prime importance. In the present study, we aimed to identify the sensitivity and specificity of 13C urea breath test (UBT) in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection and to assess the severity of the disease with delta over baseline (DOB) values.