[An epidemiological survey on Helicobacter pylori infection in children]

In this study serum anti-urease antibodies of Helicobacter pylori was examined in order to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in 394 children between age 1 and 13. The results showed that the average infection rate was 15.7% with a tendency of increase infection rate with age, and by the age of 12 the H. pylori infection rate reached 30%, which was higher than those found in developed countries. We also noticed that there was a comparatively higher serapositivity among 1 and 7 year olds. This may possibly be due to the close contact between family members and school mates. In addition, the serum positive rate of antibody to H. pylori urease in children with recurrent abdominal pain was much higher than those asymptomatic children (P < 0.05).