The Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori‐Positive Serology in Asymptomatic Children

Abstract

SummaryEpidemiologic data are presented about the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori positivity as determined by serology in a large series of asymptomatic children (n = 466). Serology is now generally accepted as a valid noninvasive screening method for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection. Blood samples were taken from 466 apparently healthy children (ages 2–14 years) who were admitted to our pediatric 1‐day clinic for elective surgery. The children originated from different ethnic backgrounds. All were born in Belgium and have been living there ever since. Thirty‐four (7.3%) had positive titers for Helicobacter pylori. There was a significant increase in the number of positive patients with advancing age (5.4% in the age group 2–8 years and 13.4% in the age group 8–14 years; p < 0.001). We also found a significant difference in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori positivity between Caucasian Belgian children and non‐Caucasian children of different ethnic backgrounds. This relatively high prevalence of positive serology in asymptomatic older children (13.4%) should be considered in studies on the incidence or causative role of Helicobacter pylori in children with chronic abdominal complaints.