title: Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among preschool children in Latvia: no significant decrease in prevalence during a ten year period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Published data show a trend of decreasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Eastern European countries due to socioeconomic changes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among children in Latvia and to compare these results with previous studies in the same population. The risk factors associated with infection were also analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preschool children in kindergartens and primary health care centres were investigated using a stool antigen test. Their parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire about possible risk factors. Statistical analysis included Pearson's χ(2) test and linear regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of H. pylori infection determined by the monoclonal stool antigen test in children aged 1-6 years (median 5 years) was 15.5% (15/101) (95% confidence interval 8.67-23.48%). In the regression analysis, H. pylori positivity was significantly negatively associated with the consumption of imported fruit at least once per week (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS THE PREVALENCE OF H PYLORI IN THE STUDIED POPULATION HAS NOT DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THE LAST DECADE AND IS STILL ASSOCIATED WITH SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS THE ROLE OF SOME DIETARY FACTORS EG THE CONSUMPTION OF FRUIT IN THE SPREAD OF INFECTION SHOULD BE STUDIED FURTHER.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia ilva_daugule@hotmail.com.
authors: Ilva
authors: I
authors: Daugule
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.
authors: Daiga
authors: D
authors: Karklina
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.
authors: Dace
authors: D
authors: Rudzite
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.
authors: Silvija
authors: S
authors: Remberga
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.
authors: Ingrida
authors: I
authors: Rumba-Rozenfelde
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007844:Latvia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial
keywords: Helicobacter pylori; Latvia; children; prevalence; risk factors