Paediatric Halitosis and Helicobacter pylori Infection

Objective: To compare the presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection by stool antigen test in children with and without halitosis. Study Design: Comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Paediatrics, Fatih University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between December 2008 and June 2009. Methodology: Fifty-three patients aged between 3-15 years who presented to paediatrics outpatient clinic with halitosis and 55 healthy children aged between 4-15 years without halitosis were included in the study. Halitosis was confirmed with organoleptic test. Stool antigen test was performed in both groups. Intergroup proportions were compared using chi-square and Fisher exact tests with significance at p < 0.05. Results: The H. pylori stool antigen test was positive in 11 out of 53 patients (20.8%) with halitosis and 12 of 55 healthy controls (21.8%). The rate of positive H. pylori stool antigen test results were similar between two groups (p > 0.05). Two-weeks eradication treatment was administered to 11 patients with H. pylori infection and halitosis. After treatment, the symptoms of 8 patients with halitosis (72.7%) completely resolved and persisted in 3 patients (27.3%). Seven of the 11 patients who were administered eradication treatment also had abdominal pain along with halitosis. Both symptoms completely resolved in all those patients after treatment. Conclusion: Although no statistically significant difference existed between the rate of H. pylori infections among those with and without halitosis. Eradication treatment was found beneficial in the treatment of children with halitosis and positive H. pylori stool antigen test.