The seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in a referral population of children in the United States

Abstract

The H. pylori seropositivity rate of GI referral children with symptoms of abdominal pain was significantly higher. H. pylori infection in early childhood was found to be associated primarily with the child's household size and socioeconomic status.

Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in healthy schoolchildren

“…Although the exact mode of transmission is not fully understood, epidemiological data support a faecal-oral or oral-oral route. 25 A correlation between gastric infection and markers of living in deprived socioeconomic circumstances during childhood has been reported. These studies have suggested that living in crowded settings accounts for a greater prevalence of H. pylori infection.…”

“…18 Low socioeconomic level, high household density of children, use of stove for heating, no breastfeeding, resident in an orphanage (compared with foster care), older age at adoption, co-infection with intestinal parasites, and the familial antecedents of peptic diseases were among the reported important risk factors for H. pylori infection. 13,15,[23][24][25][26][27] The incidence of H. pylori infection in the United States appears to be decreasing, probably because of improvements in sanitation; as living conditions improve, fewer children are infected and the prevalence of infection in adults falls when these children reach adult life. Although the exact mode of transmission is not fully understood, epidemiological data support a faecal-oral or oral-oral route.…”

Efficacy of the Standard Quadruple Therapy Versus Triple Therapies Containing Proton Pump Inhibitor Plus Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin or Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid and Metronidazole for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Children

“…However evidence suggests that H. pylori gastritis remains largely asymptomatic in children [5]. Studies attempting to establish a causal relation between infection with H. pylori and recurrent abdominal pain have been conflicting; however some authors have reported a statistically significant association between H. pylori seropositivity and epigastric pain [18].…”

Helicobacter pylori diagnostic tools: Is it in the stool?

“…23 Previous studies in the United States have shown a different rate of infection among different states, reflecting the diversity of ethnic/racial mixture and socioeconomic status of the studied population. 24,25 Moreover, a significant decrease in Hp infection rate in the last several decades has been reported in American white children. 26,27 In the study, the ''global'' population was compared with the population with the lower rate of infection; the positive predictive value for the children with a lower rate of infection fell by at least 10% to 15%.…”