Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on clinical and laboratory biomarkers associated with gastric damage in healthy school‐aged children: A randomized non‐blinded trial

Objectives Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the primary cause of gastric cancer and eradication in healthy adults has proven effective in decreasing cancer incidence. H. pylori is acquired largely in early childhood, however, the benefits of eradication in children are controversial. We aimed to determine the effect of H. pylori eradication on clinical and laboratory markers associated with gastric damage in apparently healthy school‐aged children. Methods This was a pilot non‐blinded trial including 61 children persistently infected with H. pylori who were randomized to eradication/no treatment and followed for at least 12 months, evaluating clinical and blood markers (Pepsinogen I (PGI) and II (PGII) determined by ELISA) associated with gastric damage. The treatment consisted of a sequential scheme including 7 days of omeprazole + amoxicillin followed by 7 days of omeprazole + clarithromycin + metronidazole; adherence and tolerance were surveyed. Eradication rates were assessed by stool antigen detection or urea breath test 1 month following treatment every 4 months thereafter to detect reinfection. Results Eradication occurred in 30/31 treated children (median age: 8.8, range: 7.9–10.8) and in 0/30 non‐treated controls (median age: 8.6, range: 7.9–11) (p