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Published on: May 23, 2025
Serologic prevalence of antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in internationally adopted children
Laurie C Miller1, Natasha Kelly, Martijn Tannemaat
1Department of Pediatrics, The Floating Hospital for Children, New England Medical Center, 750 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Insights
Internationally adopted children show a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Factors like orphanage residence and older age at adoption are linked to H. pylori exposure.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Global Health
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with various health issues, including gastritis, anemia, and gastric cancer.
- Internationally adopted children often present with symptoms like diarrhea, failure-to-thrive, and anemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of H. pylori antibodies in internationally adopted children.
- To investigate associations between H. pylori infection and demographic/clinical factors in this population.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 226 internationally adopted children were tested for H. pylori antibodies.
- Serologic results were analyzed against age, country of origin, nutritional status, and presence of anemia, diarrhea, or parasites.
Main Results:
- 31% of the children tested positive for H. pylori antibodies.
- H. pylori infection was associated with orphanage residence, older age at adoption, and co-infection with intestinal parasites.
- No direct impact on height, weight, diarrhea, or anemia was identified.
Conclusions:
- Internationally adopted children exhibit a high seroprevalence of H. pylori exposure.
- Orphanage residence, older adoption age, and intestinal parasite co-infection are significant factors associated with H. pylori positivity.
Background:
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been linked to gastritis, diarrhea, peptic ulcers, failure-to-thrive, anemia, as well as predisposition to gastric malignancies. Because many internationally adopted children have diarrhea, failure-to-thrive, and anemia on arrival to the US, we determined the prevalence of HP antibodies among these children.
Methods:
Serum samples from 226 unselected children from 18 countries who were evaluated in the International Adoption Clinic at New England Medical Center were tested for antibodies to H. pylori. The results of serologic screening were analyzed in relation to age at adoption, site of residence prior to adoption, weight and height, and the presence or absence of anemia, diarrhea, or intestinal parasites.
Results:
31% of internationally adopted children had antibodies to H. pylori. The presence of H. pylori-antibodies was associated with residence in an orphanage (vs. foster care) prior to adoption, older age at adoption, and coinfection with intestinal parasites. No direct effects on height or weight were identified; no associations with diarrhea or anemia were found.
Conclusions:
Internationally adopted children have a high incidence of exposure to H. pylori, as diagnosed serologically. Residence in an orphanage (compared with foster care), older age at adoption, and coinfection with intestinal parasites were more common among children seropositive for anti-H. pylori antibodies.
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