What Other Parents Are Reading The bacteria H. pylori
(Helicobacter pylori) usually don't cause problems in childhood.
However, if left untreated the bacteria can lead to digestive
illnesses, including gastritis (the irritation and inflammation
of the lining of the stomach), peptic ulcer disease
(characterized by sores that form in the stomach or the upper
part of the small intestine, called the duodenum), and even
stomach cancer later in life. These bacteria are found
worldwide, but especially in developing countries, where up to
10% of children and 80% of adults can have laboratory evidence
of an H. pylori infection — usually without having symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms Anyone can have an H. pylori infection
without knowing it as most H. pylori infections are "silent" and
produce no symptoms. When the bacteria do cause symptoms,
they're usually either symptoms of gastritis or peptic ulcer
disease. In kids, symptoms of gastritis may include nausea,
vomiting, and frequent complaints about pain in the abdomen.