Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adolescents: an update from the literature

Objective: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) remains a significant global health concern in children and adolescents, associated with chronic active gastritis and potential long-term complications. Despite its clinical relevance, pediatric-specific data on prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment remain fragmented and inconsistent, with clinical management differing significantly from that of the adult population. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic review of original research on H. pylori infection in children and adolescents, published between January 1 and December 31 of 2024. Articles were identified via PubMed using MeSH and keyword-based search criteria and screened for relevance. Studies were categorized by primary research focus into four groups: epidemiology and clinical associations, diagnostics, treatment, and immunobiology. Results: A total of 65 original publications were included. The majority focused on epidemiological trends and clinical associations or treatment strategies, while diagnostics and immunological insights were less represented. Significant geographic variation was observed in prevalence, diagnostic approaches, and adherence to treatment guidelines. High rates of antibiotic resistance were reported, while non-invasive methods, such as stool antigen and breath tests, remained widely used for diagnostics. Several studies emphasized the impact of nutritional status, particularly iron deficiency anemia, as well as socioeconomic factors, on diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes. Conclusions: Despite growing interest in pediatric H. pylori research, recent literature highlights persistent gaps in diagnostic standardization, healthcare delivery, and our understanding of child-specific host-pathogen interactions. Continued efforts are needed to advance evidence-based management and address these challenges in pediatric population.