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Prevalence and incidence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in a healthy pediatric population in the Lisbon area
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is mainly acquired in childhood. Although adult
studies reported a high prevalence of H. pylori infection in Portugal, the actual
rate in children remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence
and the incidence of H. pylori infection in an asymptomatic pediatric population
of the Lisbon area and to correlate prevalence with sociodemographic
determinants.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Helicobacter pylori infection was determined by stool
antigen test in 844 asymptomatic children (age 0-15 years; 49.4% boys). For the
incidence study, H. pylori-negative children in the prevalence study were
followed-up every 6 months over a 3-year period.
RESULTS: The global prevalence of H. pylori infection was 31.6%, increasing with
age (19.9, 37.0 and 51.5%, in age groups 0-5, 6-10, and 11-15, respectively), but
was similar among genders (34.5% in boys and 28.4% in girls). Older age and
attendance of nursery/kindergarten during preschool constituted independent risk
factors. The overall estimated incidence was 11.6 per 100 child-years (CY).
Although 47.5% of children acquired H. pylori infection before 5 years of age,
the mean age of acquisition was 6.3. The incidence of infection was similar among
the three age groups (11.5, 13.0, and 10.5 per 100 CY, in age groups 0-5, 6-10,
and 11-15, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in the Portuguese pediatric
population is still high. Although this study confirmed that the highest
acquisition rate occurs at young age, it showed that in high-prevalence
populations, older children can also acquire H. pylori infection at a rate
similar to that of young children.
Description
Keywords
Helicobacter pylori Prevalence Incidence Pediatric Stool antigens Infecções Gastrointestinais
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Helicobacter. 2011 Oct;16(5):363-72. Epub 2011 Sep 19