Understanding H. Pylori and Ulcers in Your Child

What are the symptoms of ulcers?

Ulcer symptoms can come and go. Or your child may not have symptoms at all. Common symptoms include:

• Burning, cramping, pain, or a feeling of hunger in your child’s stomach. This often happens 1 to 3 hours after a meal, or in the middle of the night.

• Pain that gets better or worse with eating.

• Nausea or vomiting. There may be blood in the vomit. Or vomit may look like coffee grounds.

• Black, tarry stools. This means the ulcer is bleeding.

• Weight loss.

• Bloating.

• Loss of appetite.

How are ulcers caused by H. pylori diagnosed?

Your child’s doctor can order tests to see if ulcers are present. The doctor will then check to see if the ulcers are caused by H. pylori. Tests may include:

• Barium upper gastrointestinal (GI) series. This is a special type of X-ray test. Your child will drink a chalky liquid that helps ulcers show up on an X-ray.

• An endoscopic exam. An endoscope is a thin, soft tube with a tiny camera at one end. After your child is sedated or under anesthesia, the tube is inserted through your child’s mouth into the stomach. This allows the doctor to see the ulcers. This tube may also be used to take a tiny tissue sample (biopsy).

• Urea breath test. For this test, your child blows into a bag after drinking a solution. The breath is then checked for a chemical that indicates if H. pylori is present.

• Blood or stool tests.

How are ulcers caused by H. pylori treated?

The doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the H. pylori bacteria. Your child may also need medicine to reduce stomach acid production and help heal the stomach lining.

• Antibiotics are given to get rid of H. pylori infection. It may take 8 to 12 weeks of medicine to relieve your child’s symptoms and heal the ulcer. Make sure that your child takes all of the antibiotics prescribed. Not taking the entire course can keep the bacteria in their system.

• Proton pump inhibitors help by preventing acid from being made in the stomach.

• Bismuth salicylate (such as Pepto Bismol) is sometimes used to help heal the ulcer.

Follow all instructions about giving your child medicines. This will often prevent ulcers caused by H. pylori from returning. Your child's doctor may order a stool or breath test after treatment to make sure the bacteria is gone. If it is not gone, your child may need to repeat the treatment.