Abstract

SALGADO, S et al. Atrofia gástrica en niños: Características clínicas, endoscópicas y anatopatológicas. Gen [online]. 2008, vol.62, n.3, pp.175-178. ISSN 0016-3503.

Gastric atrophy in children is rare, few data exists about atrophy and metaplasia prevalence at these ages. Aims: To investigate and describe clinical, endoscopic and histological characteristics in pediatric patients with chronic gastritis who had gastric atrophy in order to identify etiologic factors asociated with this patology. Patients, Materials And Methods: clinical histories of patients attended in the unit from 1994 to 2006, with report of chronic gastritis, were reviewed. Results: 23 children with chronic gastritis and gastric atrophy, with a general prevalence of 0, 98%. In patients with Helicobacter pylori infection, the prevalence of gastric atrophy was 1, 20% and in non infected patients was 0, 71%. It was determined that the bacteria was identified more frequently in biopsies with chronic gastritis and atrophy with infection with a significative difference (p=0, 0001). The presence of limphoid cumulus was more frecuent among infected patients (p=0, 0001). Mild gastric atrophy was detected in 86, 95% (20/23), 2 moderate atrophy and one severe atrophy. It was found that mild gastric atrophy was reported in mayor number in moderate chronic gastritis (p=0, 0004). Discussion: Gastric atrophy exists in children with a predominance among Helicobacter pylori infected children. There has to be an endoscopic vigilance program to determine the frecuency of histologic changes in pediatric ages, prevention strategies and its consideration in the development of neoplasic lesions.

Keywords : Gastric atrophy; chronic gastritis; Helicobacter pylori; intestinal metaplasia.