APPROACH TO HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN SPECIFIC AGE GROUPS

Authors: Gabriela ŞTEFĂNESCU, Gheorghe G. BĂLAN, Georgiana Emmanuela GÎLCĂ-BLANARIU, Claudia OLARU, Oana TIMOFTE, Nicoleta GIMIGA, Oana-Maria ROŞU, Emil ANTON, Laura Mihaela ION, Smaranda DIACONESCU

Abstract:

The Helicobacter pylori infection features a series of particular aspects, depending on patients’ age. In children, some particular aspects should be mentioned – for instance, the prevalence of the infection, the low complication rate and the risk of malignization, the diagnostic and therapeutic
schemes that must be adjusted based on age. For these reasons, some of the recommendations for adults cannot be applied in children. Concurrently, management difficulties also occur in elderly patients in terms of risk of complications, higher rate of antibiotic resistance, presence of comorbidities and often concomitant medication. The article overviews the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic
aspects of H. pylori infection management in children and elderly patients, respectively.

Keywords:
  • elderly
  • H. Pylori infection
  • pediatric
  • treatment