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. 2006 Dec;149(6):817-21.
doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.08.047.

High accuracy of noninvasive tests to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection in very young children

Elena Dondi  1 , Anna Rapa, Renzo Boldorini, Paola Fonio, Sara Zanetta, Giuseppina Oderda
Affiliations

High accuracy of noninvasive tests to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection in very young children

Elena Dondi et al. J Pediatr. 2006 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To validate the (13)C-urea-breath-test (UBT) and stool antigen test (HpSA) in children aged 5 years or younger, against invasive histologic study and rapid-urease-testing or culture.

Study design: On all consecutive children aged 5 years or younger undergoing endoscopy in 1 single center during the last 7.5 years, UBT and HpSA were performed.

Results: Of a total of 184 children (median age 2.2 years, range 0.2-5.5), 30 were Helicobacter pylori-positive (16.3%). Sensitivity and specificity of UBT were 93.3% (95%CI 77.9%-99.2%) and 95.5% (90.9-98.2), with a cutoff of 5 per thousand, but specificity increased to 98.1% (94.4%-99.6%) with a cutoff of 8 per thousand. Sensitivity and specificity of HpSA were 93.3% (77.9%-99.2%) and 98.7% (95.4%-99.8%).

Conclusion: Accuracy of noninvasive tests in our single-center study were satisfactory: specificity of UBT improved with a cutoff at 8%, and sensitivity of HpSA was high when determined locally without transportation after long or inadequate storage that could impair results.

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