Aim To investigate the dynamics of the prevalence of H.pylori among dyspeptic children within eight year period and analyse the association of bacterium with reflux oesophagitis.

Materials and Methods Presence of H.pylori (rapid urease test) and endoscopic findings were evaluated prospectively among 130 consecutive children (age 8–18 years) coming for upper endoscopy due to current upper gastrointestinal symptoms in 2000 and compared to data from all patients of the same age coming for upper endoscopy in 2007 (n = 186). Presence of reflux oesophagitis was compared between H.pylori positive and negative patients. Statistical analysis: ×2 test, log regression.

Results The prevalence H.pylori among dyspeptic children did not differ significantly between years 2000 and 2007 (54% (70/130) and 60% (113/186), respectively; p>0.1). The prevalence of H.pylori infection among patients with reflux oesophagitis was significantly higher compared to the prevalence among patients with hyperaemic gastropathy: the odds ratio for positive H.pylori among children with reflux oesophagitis was 5.5 (p = 0.03, 95% CI: 1.15 to 26.3).

Conclusions and Discussion Although the prevalence of H.pylori is decreasing during the last decade in Eastern European countries, it did not differ significantly among dyspeptic children in year 2000 and 2007 in our study sample. In children H.pylori infection might be associated with reflux oesophagitis due to increased acidity caused by H.pylori associated antral gastritis.