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[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children according to their age. A retrospective study]
J Raymond1, N Kalach, M Bergeret
1Service de microbiologie, Hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Paris, France.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection prevalence in Parisian children is 15.8%. This H pylori infection rate increases with age, suggesting early childhood acquisition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Understanding H pylori prevalence in pediatric populations is crucial for early diagnosis and management.
- Previous data on H pylori infection rates in children, particularly in European urban settings, are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of H pylori infection among children in Paris.
- To investigate the relationship between H pylori infection and age in this pediatric cohort.
- To compare H pylori infection rates between symptomatic and control children.
Main Methods:
- A 3-year prospective study involving 623 children admitted to a Parisian hospital.
- Children were categorized into symptomatic (gastritis, abdominal pain) and control (growth retardation) groups.
- H pylori infection was diagnosed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of H pylori infection was 15.8% (99 out of 623 children).
- No significant difference in prevalence was observed between symptomatic and control groups based on age, sex, or ethnicity.
- H pylori infection prevalence significantly increased with age, from 1.8% in infants to 30% in 15-year-olds, with an annual acquisition rate of 2.1%.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of H pylori infection in older children mirrors adult rates, strongly suggesting infection acquisition during early childhood.
- Early life H pylori infection warrants further investigation regarding long-term health implications.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering H pylori in the pediatric population, especially in urban environments.
Unlabelled:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H pylori infection in a Parisian children population.
Patients And Methods:
During a 3-year period, H pylori infection was investigated in 623 children admitted to our hospital. Children were enrolled into two groups; either a symptomatic children group with clinical gastritis manifestations as infant colics or recurrent abdominal pain for more than 3 months in whom H pylori infection was suspected, or a control children group with growth retardation of more than -2 standard deviation (SD). Ethnic origin for all enrolled children was identified. A written parental consent was obtained for all children. H pylori infection was identified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Cobas Core Roche, IgG, 2nd generation, Roche, France).
Results:
H pylori infection was identified in 99 children out of 623 (15.8%). There was no difference between the two groups of children for age, sex, ethnic origin and prevalence of H pylori infection. The prevalence of H pylori infection was widely dependent on age and rose regularly with an annual acquisition rate of 2.1%. The prevalence of this infection varied from 1.8% during the first year of life to 30% in 15-year-old children.
Conclusion:
The latter prevalence is quite similar to that found in adults, suggesting that infection might occur in early life.