Helicobacter pylori in children is strongly associated with poverty
C A Malcolm1, W G MacKay, A Shepherd
1Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Stirling, Stirling.
Insights
Children in socioeconomically deprived areas show a higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonization. This common infection in poor families highlights health disparities and risks for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonization is a significant global health concern.
- Socioeconomic status is increasingly recognized as a determinant of infectious disease prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between H. pylori colonization and socioeconomic deprivation in pediatric patients.
- To assess the prevalence of H. pylori in children from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 626 children's hospital records from 1995-2002.
- H. pylori infection diagnosed using the 13C-urea breath test.
- Socioeconomic status assessed via the Carstairs and Morris index of deprivation.
Main Results:
- Overall H. pylori prevalence was 26%.
- A significant positive association was found between H. pylori colonization and socioeconomic deprivation (p < 0.000).
- Prevalence was highest in the most deprived areas (34%) compared to affluent areas (16%).
Conclusions:
- Childhood socioeconomic deprivation is linked to a high prevalence of H. pylori.
- H. pylori remains common in disadvantaged families, posing health risks.
- Early-life colonization contributes to the health burden in deprived children.
Background And Aims:
To examine the association between prevalence of H. pylori colonisation and social deprivation in a sample of children investigated in hospital.
Methods:
A retrospective review of the hospital records of all children (n = 626) who underwent 13C-urea breath testing for suspected H. pylori infection at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, Scotland between August 1995 to December 2002 was performed. Prevalence of H. pylori colonisation was measured by the 13C-urea breath test and socioeconomic status was measured by the Carstairs and Morris index of deprivation.
Results:
The overall prevalence of H. pylori was 26%. There was a highly significant positive association between H. pylori colonisation and poor socioeconomic status (p < 0.000). The prevalence of colonisation was significantly higher in children from the most deprived areas (DepCat 6 and 7; 34%) compared to children from intermediate (DepCat 3 to 5; 22%) and the most affluent areas (DepCat 1 and 2; 16%) (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
Socioeconomic deprivation in childhood is associated with a high prevalence of H. pylori colonisation. While the incidence of H. pylori may be declining, it remains common in poor families. If the prevalence of H. pylori (26%) in this selected group reflects that of the population at large, then over 9000 (5%) of Glasgow's children are at risk of this preventable disease. In a city where the majority of adults are colonised with H. pylori, colonisation in early life adds to the burden of health risks to which deprived children are exposed.
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