Related Experiment Videos
Reinfection rate in children after successful Helicobacter pylori eradication
Anne Feydt-Schmidt1, Angelika Kindermann, Nikolaos Konstantopoulos
1Dr von Haunersches Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 8a, D-80336 Munich, Germany.
Insights
The risk of Helicobacter pylori reinfection in children in Germany is low, with a rate of 2.3% per person per year. This suggests routine screening of asymptomatic family members is not necessary after successful eradication.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is common in children globally.
- Successful eradication of H. pylori is crucial to prevent long-term complications.
- Understanding reinfection rates is important for guiding public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the rate of H. pylori reinfection in children residing in Germany after successful eradication.
- To assess factors influencing H. pylori reinfection risk in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 102 children who had successful H. pylori eradication confirmed by (13)C-urea breath test were followed.
- Participants underwent serial (13)C-urea breath tests every six months for a mean duration of 15.5 months.
- The study included children across various age groups (1.8-18 years) and nationalities.
Main Results:
- Only three children experienced H. pylori reinfection during the follow-up period.
- The calculated reinfection rate was 2.3% per person per year.
- No significant association was found between reinfection and the child's age, sex, or nationality.
Conclusions:
- The risk of H. pylori reinfection in children living in Germany is low.
- Current evidence does not support a dependency of reinfection rates on demographic factors.
- Screening or treating asymptomatic family members is likely unnecessary to prevent reinfection.
Objectives:
This study was performed to determine the rate of Helicobacter pylori reinfection after its successful eradication in children living in Germany.
Design:
A total of 102 children (48 boys; 31 German and 71 other nationalities; age 1.8-18 years) with a negative (13)C-urea breath test 8 weeks after triple therapy were followed up by a (13)C-urea breath test every 6 months. The cohort included 11 children aged <6 years, 58 children aged > or =6 to 12 years, and 33 children > or =12 years.
Results:
The mean duration (+/- standard deviation) of follow-up was 15.5 +/- 11.9 months with a maximum of 4.9 years, representing 132 patient years. Only three children (aged 9.7-14.9 years, one German, two Turkish) tested positive at 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively. The calculated reinfection rate was 2.3% per person per year.
Conclusion:
The risk of reinfection with H. pylori is low in children living in Germany. There is no evidence that the reinfection rate depends on the age, sex, or nationality of the child. The low reinfection rate indicates that it is unnecessary to screen or treat asymptomatic family members in order to prevent reinfection.