Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori): About Your Child's Test

What is an H. pylori test?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) tests are used to check for this infection in the stomach and upper part of the small intestine. H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can cause peptic ulcers. But most people who have it in their digestive systems don't get ulcers.

Several tests may be used to check for an H. pylori infection:

• Urea breath test. This test checks your child's breath to see if your child has H. pylori bacteria in the stomach.
• Stool antigen test. This test looks for substances in your child's stool that trigger the immune system to fight an H. pylori infection. (These substances are called H. pylori antigens.)
• Stomach biopsy. A small tissue sample (biopsy) is taken from the lining of your child's stomach and small intestine. The sample is checked for H. pylori.
• Blood antibody test. This test is occasionally done to check to see if your child's body has made antibodies to fight an H. pylori infection. This test is not as accurate as the other tests.

Why is this test done?

H. pylori tests are done to:

• Find out if an infection with H. pylori bacteria may be causing an ulcer or irritation of the stomach lining (gastritis).
• Find out if treatment for the infection worked.

How do you prepare for the test?

Blood antibody test

Your child doesn't need to do anything before having this test.

Urea breath test, stool antigen test, or stomach biopsy

Medicines your child takes may change the results of these tests. Be sure to tell your doctor about ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies your child takes. Your doctor may ask you to stop giving some of them.

Urea breath test or stomach biopsy

You will be asked to not give your child anything to eat or drink for a certain amount of time before the breath test or stomach biopsy. Follow the doctor's instructions about how long your child needs to avoid eating and drinking before the test. If your child will have a stomach biopsy, your doctor will tell you how to prepare for it.

How is the test done?

Blood antibody test

A health professional takes a sample of your child's blood.

Urea breath test

A breath sample is collected when your child blows into a balloon or blows bubbles into a bottle of liquid. The health professional will:

• Collect a sample of your child's breath before the test starts.
• Give your child a pill, a liquid, or some water to swallow that contains a special substance called urea.
• Collect more samples of your child's breath. The samples will be tested to see if they contain carbon dioxide, which is formed when H. pylori comes into contact with the urea.

Stool antigen test

For this test, you may be asked to collect your child's stool sample at home. To collect the sample, you need to:

• Put on gloves before handling your child's stool. Stool can contain germs that spread infection.
• Have your child urinate before you collect the stool. Then have your child pass stool into a dry container. Either solid or liquid stools can be collected. Be careful not to get urine or toilet paper in with the stool sample.
• Replace the container cap. Label the container with your child's name, the doctor's name, and the date the sample was collected.
• Wash your hands after you collect the sample and take off your gloves.
• Take the sealed container to the doctor's office or to the lab as soon as you can.

Sometimes your child's doctor will get a stool sample using a rectal swab. The swab is inserted into the rectum, rotated gently, and then pulled out. It is placed in a clean, dry container and sent to the lab right away.

Stomach biopsy

A procedure called endoscopy is used to collect samples of tissue from the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. The tissue samples are tested in a lab to see if they contain H. pylori.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and contact your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to keep a list of the medicines your child takes. Ask your doctor when you can expect to have your child's test results.