P0939 HELICOBACTER PYLORI (HP) INFECTION RISK IN NEWBORNS FROM HP POSITIVE MOTHERS

Abstract

Introduction: Experiments on long term helicobacter pylori(HP) infection, particularly in the young, indicate that inflammation can develop in the stomach mucosa after infection, so that it is considered very important to prevent neonatal and childhood infection. Few reports have been published concerning horizontal and vertical transmission of HP infection (1,2,3). Aim of study. We investigated newborns from HP positive mothers to evaluate their HP infection risk. Methods: From june 2002 to june 2003 we studied 165 mothers and their newborns after birth. The mothers have been investigated with serological test to detect antibodies against HP (HPab; Helicobacter Pylori IgG Elisa, Eurospital, Italy), and stool antigen testing (Helori, Eurospital) and, if positive, with Urea Breath test (UBT). In all newborns we analized stool antigen testing in first month of life and every six months. If positive, we evaluated HPab against CAG-A (CAG-A IgG EIA, Radim, Italy) at the age of three months. Statistical analysis: chi-square test was applied. Results: Preliminary results. Mothers: 50/165( 30.3% ) were serological and stool-antigen testing positive. UBT done in 45/50 (90%) resulted positive in 44/45 ( 97.8%). 334 stool samples of newborns have been analized. In 3/50 newborns (6%) from positive mothers stool antigen testing were positive in first month of life; 2 cases were still positive after 6 months. HPab against CAG-A were positive in 3/3. None newborns from negative mothers were antigen stool testing positive (p<0.05). Conclusion: HP infection could be acquired in neonatal age from HP positive mothers. Stool antigen testing could be an easy and non-invasive method to investigate children