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To establish the rate of Helicobacter pylorireinfection in children from an H. pylorihigh prevalence area, possible clinical features predictive of reinfection and the usefulness of re‐treatment. 65 consecutive children attending the authors' department between 1998 and 2000 who had proven successful H. pylorieradication were enrolled; 52 took part. Patients and family members were invited to undergo 13C‐urea breath testing and to complete a simple questionnaire regarding symptoms and socioeconomic status. Patients with H. pylorireinfection were offered treatment; eradication was assessed by 13C‐urea breath test 8 weeks after completion of treatment. Of 52 children, 15 (28.8%) were H. pyloripositive. Variables predictive of reinfection were age at primary infection and presence of an infected sibling. Although reinfected children were more frequently symptomatic than non‐reinfected patients, no specific symptom was associated with reinfection. Of the nine re‐treated patients who returned 8 weeks after completing therapy, the bacterium was eradicated in five (56%). The 12.8% per year reinfection rate in childhood at 2 years that we observed should prompt a re‐evaluation of H. pyloristatus even after a successful eradication. Living in an H. pylorihigh prevalence area increases the annual risk of reinfection by approximately fourfold over the annual risk in H. pylorilow prevalence areas.

This is a report of the results of a multicenter study performed in children with dyspepsia from five pediatric centers in Puglia, a region in southern Italy. In the study, clinical features of Helicobacter pyloriinfection, the reliability of diagnostic techniques, and the involvement of bacterial strains were examined.