Childhood protein-losing enteropathy associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Helicobacter pylori was found in a gastric biopsy specimen of a child with protein-losing gastropathy. Through erythromycin therapy, clinical and ultrasonographic recovery was associated with the disappearance of the pathogen on repeated biopsy. The association of H. pylori with protein-losing gastropathy has been reported only once in children, to our knowledge. Although the causative correlation between the pathogen and the disease has not been proven yet, we suggest that future cases of protein-losing gastropathy be studied for the presence of H. pylori and followed up by ultrasonographic investigation and urea breath test. Appropriate treatment should be given to suspected cases.