Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Validation of the 13C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in children: A multicenter study

  • Franco Bazzoli
  • , Liliana Cecchini
  • , Luigi Corvaglia
  • , Martino Dall'Antonia
  • , Costantino De Giacomo
  • , Stefania Fossi
  • , Luigi Gobio Casali
  • , Sergio Gullini
  • , Rosanna Lazzari
  • , Giorgio Leggeri
  • , Pietro Lerro
  • , Valeria Valdambrini
  • , Gianni Mandrioli
  • , Miris Marani
  • , Paolo Martelli
  • , Angelo Miano
  • , Gianni Nicolini
  • , Giuseppina Oderda
  • , Paolo Pazzi
  • , Paolo Pozzato
  • Luigi Ricciardiello, Enrico Roda, Patrizia Simoni, Sandra Sottili, Giuliano Torre, Luigina Urso, Rocco Maurizio Zagari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) is a safe, noninvasive, and accurate test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of 13C-UBT in children using different types of test meal, doses of 13C-urea and breath sampling intervals. As yet, a validated, standardized 13C-UBT protocol for children has not been formulated. METHODS: 13C-UBT was performed in 115 children and repeated within 3 days, modifying the test meal or the dose of 13C-urea. H. pylori status was assessed by histology and rapid urease test. 13C-UBT was performed using 100 mg or 50 mg of 13C-urea and a fatty test meal (100 FA; 50 FA), 50 mg of 13C-urea, and a carbohydrate test meal (50 CA). Breath samples were collected every 10 min for 60 min. RESULTS: The 13C-UBT in children was highly sensitive and specific with all three protocols used. The best combination of sensitivity (97.92%) and specificity (97.96%) was obtained with Protocol 50 FA at 30 min with a cut-off of 3.5 per mil. CONCLUSIONS: The 13C-UBT is an accurate test for the detection of H. pylori infection also in children. Administration of 50 mg of 13C-urea, a fatty test meal, and breath sampling at 30 min appears to be the most convenient protocol. (C) 2000 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)646-650
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume95
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2000
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Validation of the 13C-urea breath test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection in children: A multicenter study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this