Helicobacter pylori serology in childhood

Serology is now generally accepted as a valid noninvasive screening method for the detection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. We determined the frequency of serum Hp IgG antibodies in 59 children with dyspeptic complaints and 48 age-matched controls by ELISA. Positive Hp antibodies were found in 52.5 percent of patients and 41.7 percent of controls. The difference was not statistically significant. The percentage of positivity increased with age for both patients (50% in 5-9, 51.7% in 10-14 and 72.7% in 15-17 year age-groups) and controls (36.8% in 5-9, 50% in 10-14, 68.4% in 15-17 year age-groups). These results suggest that Hp infection has a relatively high prevalance among children in our region, and increase with age. A large proportion of asymptomatic children also demonstrate signs of past or present exposure.