History and Objectives: Due to the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in upper gastrointestinal diseases among adults and its well characterized effects and lack information on its effect among children and in order to determine the clinical characteristics, endoscopic and laboratory finding of Helicobacter pylori, the present study was carried on children who had endoscopic examination for various reasons in the Ghaem hospital of Mashhad in 1996-1997.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study on individuals under the age of 16 years of age was conducted. Personal data, clinical signs, complaints, endoscopic and laboratory findings were recorded. Biopsy samples placed in Stewart media and transferred to the clinical laboratory in less than 6 hours and cultured in Columbia-agar media. On the basis of histological features of pregnable, urease, oxidase and catalase tests the diagnosis was determined and prevalence of the infection in the sample and population was analyzed.

Results: From 59 qualified patients with mean age of 9.2±3 years (26 boys) the prevalence of the Helicobacter pylori infection was 41%. The most prevalent complaint among patients was stomach ache (83%) and the most significant endoscopic finding was gastric inflammation (76%) and esophageal inflammation (68%). The most prevalent complaint among patients with positive culture test was heartburn and brash.

Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori is indicated in the gastrointestinal complication among children. Its prevalence is 2 to 3 time more than is reported in reference textbooks. Further study on the prevalence, clinical symptoms, major complaints and prognosis of the disease is needed.