Gastrointestinal Tract - Original Article

Vol. 32 No. 7 (2021): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology

Natural Progression of Helicobacter pylori-Negative Gastritis with Lymphoid Follicles in Children: Prospective Evaluation and Outcome

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Vered Richter
Sonia Mendlovic
Tzipi Shalem
Adi Eindor-Abarbanel
Haim Shirin
Efrat Broide

Abstract

Background: The association of Helicobacter pylori-negative gastritis with lymphoid follicles (LFs) in children is still unclear. Therefore,

we aimed to investigate the natural history and significance of H. pylori-negative gastritis with LFs in children.

Methods: We identified children with histologically proven H. pylori-negative gastritis with LFs between June 2014 and January 2017.

The children were invited for a follow-up examination. The clinical, endoscopic, and histological findings of the index esophagogastroduodenoscopy

(EGD) were revised and compared to the follow-up findings.

Results: A total of 754 children underwent EGD. Among the 48 children diagnosed with H. pylori-negative gastritis, 17 (35.41%) had

gastric LFs. Eight agreed to participate in the study. The mean follow-up was 25.58 ± 4.52 (range, 20.53-35.73) months. Three children

still had histologic findings of chronic gastritis with LFs. Four children had resolution of the gastritis but still had LFs, and 1 patient had

resolution of both the gastritis and LFs.

Conclusion: LFs were still present in children with H. pylori-negative gastritis after a mean follow-up of 2 years, and in some children,

despite resolution of the gastritis. Therefore, this histological finding might be a non-pathological feature in children and does not need

any contribution or follow-up.

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