engleski

Detection of specific antibodies to Helicobacter pylori by ELISA in children

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the spread of H. pylori infection in children. Subjects and methods:Serologic testing was performed in 72 children (42 male, 30 female) aged 1 month to 16 years .From August 1 till December 31, 1997. The children were hospitalized for gastrointestinal disorders (45): abdominal pain (22), malabsorbtion (21), maldigestion (2), or some other diagnosis (27) including respiratory (13), urinary (7), and other (7). Children with gastritis and ulcer disease were not included in the study. H. pylori infection was assesed by determination of IgG antibodies to this organism using ELISA assay comercial kits (Helori-test, Trieste, Italy). Results: Positive findings were obtained in 20 (27.8%) children, 13 (65%), of them living in poor socioeconomic conditions. Age distribution of the children with positive findings was as follows: 2 children aged <6 months (with negative findings recorder in their mothers!), 9 children aged 9-12 months, 5 children age 1-3 yrs, 1 child aged 3-5 yrs, 2 children aged 13-15 yrs, and 1 child aged >15 yrs. The folloving diagnosis were associated with positive HP findings: abdominal pain (6), malabsorbtion (10), maldigesation (1), respiratory disorder (2) and urinary disorder (1). Conclusion: The prevalence of HP infection in children was found to be higher than expected, especially in infants and small children. The rate of positive findings was significantly higher in the patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Poor socioeconomic conditions were found to have an important but not exclusive role in the occurrence of HP infection.

Helicobacter pylori; children; serology; gastrointestinal disorders; abdominal pain; malabsorbtion; maldigestion

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