[Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children according to their age. A retrospective study].
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H pylori infection in a Parisian children population.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
The latter prevalence is quite similar to that found in adults, suggesting that infection might occur in early life.
Service de microbiologie, Hôpital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Paris, France.
J
J
Raymond
N
N
Kalach
M
M
Bergeret
H
H
Sauve-Martin
P
P
Benhamou
C
C
Dupont
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Prévalence de l'infection à Helicobacter pylori chez l'enfant en fonction de l'âge: étude rétrospective.