Meta-analysis of the relationship between the infection of Helicobacter pylori and recurrent abdominal pain in children

Objective: To analyze the relationship between the infection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and recurrent abdominal pain in children. Methods: Researches on the relationship between Hp infection and recurrent abdominal pain in children were selected in both domestic and international periodical databases between September, 1999 and September, 2009. Combined odd ratio (OR) value and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results: Twenty-three literatures were reviewed and analyzed, which included 3496 children with recurrent abdominal pain and 2487 children without recurrent abdominal pain as control group. Meta analysis reveal the relevance between Hp infection and children's recurrent abdominal pain had statistical significance (OR combine = 2.65, 95 %CI= 2.05-3.43). Among of these, the relevance between Hp infection and the age of children had statistical significance (OR combine=0.71, 95% CI=0.52-0.97, and the relevance between Hp infection and the gender of these children or the parents' educational background had no statistical significance (OR combine=1.05, 95% CI=0.84-1.32; OR combine = 1.18, 95% CI=0.73-1.90, respectively). The relevance between radical treatment of Hp and the relief of recurrent abdominal pain in children had statistical significance (OR combine=16.65, 95% CI=10.01-2769). Conclusion: Hp infection is an important risky factor of children's recurrent abdominal pain. The older children are more susceptible to have recurrent abdominal pain with Hp infection, and the eradication of Hp can remarkably relieve the recurrent abdominal pain in children.