Abstract
Background and aims: Although Helicobacter pylori continues to be one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, its incidence decreased recently in developed countries. The aim of this study is to assess the evolution of yearly prevalence of H pylori infection in symptomatic children evaluated endoscopically during 2001 - 2008.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on 688 consecutive symptomatic children (age range 6 months - 18 years; F/M=418/270) who required first upper endoscopy for various symptoms. The H pylori status was assessed by rapid urease test and histological examination. The prevalence changes of H pylori infection and their correlations with demographic characteristics and socioeconomic conditions were evaluated.
Results: H pylori infection was identified in 412 (59,88%) of the 688 consecutive investigated children. Its yearly prevalence varied from 56,16% to 77,77% (p=0,242), with 70,29% in the last studied year. The following yearly values were observed: 56,16%, 48,38%, 46,25%, 46,42%, 49,01%, 77,77%, 70,29%. The prevalence of H pylori increased with age from 16,86% in the group 6 months - 3 years, to 36,48% for 15 - 18 years. The colonization rate was inversely correlated with the socioeconomic status (p< 0,005).
Conclusions: The recent decline of H pylori infection observed in developed countries is not evident in our study, probably because the recent local economical changes did not result in sufficient decrease of its prevalence. The increase of the annual prevalence of H pylori infection in children can be probably justified by better diagnosis and by the selective character of the study.
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Hurduc, V., Plesca, D., Zamfirescu, A. et al. 277 A Survey on the Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection Performed in a Pediatric Endoscopy Unit During Eight Years. Pediatr Res 68 (Suppl 1), 143 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00277
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-201011001-00277
