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The source of Helicobacter pylori infection in the neonatal period

Maria Elisabetta Baldassarre1, Rosa Monno, Nicola Laforgia

  • 1Neonatology Unit, University of Bari, Italy.

Journal of Perinatal Medicine
|February 7, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal Helicobacter pylori transmission is low, with some infants infected regardless of maternal status. Formula feeding and neonatal unit admission are linked to infection, though infants often clear the bacteria naturally.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Helicobacter pylori is a significant human pathogen.
  • Understanding perinatal transmission is crucial for infection control.
  • Previous studies have yielded varied results on early-life H. pylori acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the transmission dynamics of Helicobacter pylori during the perinatal period.
  • To identify risk factors associated with early H. pylori infection in neonates.
  • To assess the H. pylori status of healthcare workers in a neonatal unit.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 180 mothers postpartum for H. pylori using serology and stool antigen test (SAT), confirmed by (13)C-urea breath test.
  • Infant H. pylori analysis via SAT at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months.
  • Investigation of H. pylori prevalence among neonatal unit medical and paramedical staff.

Main Results:

  • Maternal H. pylori infection rate was 34.4%.
  • Neonatal H. pylori positivity by SAT was 2.9% at 1 month, with some infants born to uninfected mothers.
  • Formula feeding and intermediate-risk neonatal unit admission were significantly associated with H. pylori positivity (P=0.02 and P=0.01, respectively).
  • Healthcare staff showed a 34.8% H. pylori positivity rate.
  • All infected infants spontaneously cleared the infection.

Conclusions:

  • Perinatal H. pylori infection rates are low in the studied population.
  • H. pylori can be transmitted to infants from both infected and non-infected mothers.
  • Formula feeding and neonatal unit admission are potential risk factors for perinatal H. pylori infection.
  • Spontaneous clearance of H. pylori infection is common in neonates.
Abstract

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