A Febrile Mystery: Atypical Helicobacter pylori in a Child Returning From an Endemic Region.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterial infection with a high prevalence in resource-limited regions. H. pylori infection in children presents with nonspecific and variable clinical features, making diagnosis challenging. We describe a pediatric patient who presented with fever of unknown origin (FUO), anorexia, weight loss, and anemia. Despite an extensive evaluation, the etiology remained unknown until H. pylori testing. This case underscores the importance of including H. pylori in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with FUO, particularly those with recent travel to endemic areas, where exposure to more pathogenic strains may result in significant disease.