Helicobacter pylori colonization in infants in a peri-urban community in Karachi, Pakistan.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence and incidence of Helicobacter pylori in children in Pakistan is not known.


OBJECTIVE
To measure the prevalence and age of acquisition of Helicobacter pylori infection/colonization in infants in a peri-urban community in Karachi, Pakistan.


METHODS
Field based epidemiologic study in a peri-urban community in Karachi, Pakistan.


METHODS
Infants aged 1 to 3 months were recruited from a birth cohort from the community. C-urea breath test (C-UBT) was performed on recruitment, and the test was repeated at 2, 3, 6, and 9 months of age.


RESULTS
One hundred forty-eight infants were recruited and had C-UBT on 319 occasions over a period of 2 years. Two hundred thirty-one=(72%) tests were positive: 80% (49/61) infants at 1 month of age, 79% (33/42) at 2 month of age, 76% (92/121) at 3 month of age, 58% (37/64) at 6 months of age, and 67% (20/30) at 9 months of age.


CONCLUSIONS
The study reveals an early colonization/infection of infants and a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in a peri-urban community in Karachi, Pakistan.
Nizami
Shaikh Qamaruddin
SQ
Department of Pediatrics, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. qamaruddin.nizami@aku.edu
Bhutta
Zulfiqar Ahmed
ZA
Weaver
Lawrence
L
Preston
Tom
T
D017677:Age Distribution; D001944:Breath Tests; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence
D002247:Carbon Isotopes