Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2015 Mar;18(1):10-16. 10.5223/pghn.2015.18.1.10.

Changing Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infections in Korean Children with Recurrent Abdominal Pain

• Jang KM
• Choe BH
• Choe JY
• Hong SJ
• Park HJ
• Chu MA
• Cho SM
• Kim JM

• KMID: 2315530
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2015.18.1.10

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to investigate the changing prevalence rate of Helicobacter pylori infection in children, of different age groups, with recurrent abdominal pain over a 10-year period.
METHODS
Children with recurrent abdominal pain who visited the pediatric outpatient clinic at university hospital were screened for H. pylori. Children were divided into 3 age categories of 4-5, 6-11, and 12-16 years. To study the changes in the annual prevalence rates of H. pylori infection, the study period was divided into 3 time periods: 2004-2007, 2008-2010, and 2011-2014. Urea breath test was performed for all children aged 4-16 years, with a cut-off value of 4.0per thousand for children aged > or =6 years and 7per thousand for children aged <6 years.
RESULTS
A total of 2,530 children (1,191 boys) with a mean age of 10.0+/-3.0 years (range, 4.0-16.9 years) were included in the study. The total prevalence of H. pylori infection was 7.4% (187/2,530). The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection in children with recurrent abdominal pain was 8.0% (70/873) in 2004-2007, 7.7% (51/666) in 2008-2010, and 6.7% (66/991) in the 2011-2014. Nevertheless, a significant difference was observed in the prevalence rate between children <12 years old and > or =12 years of age (p=0.018).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Korean children with recurrent abdominal pain was 7.4%, showing no significant decrease in the last 11 years; however, the prevalence rate in children <12 years old was significantly lower than that in those > or =12 years old.

Keyword

Helicobacter; Functional gastrointestinal disorder; Breath test; Endoscopy; Child

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain*
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Breath Tests
Child*
Endoscopy
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Helicobacter
Helicobacter pylori*
Humans
Prevalence*
Urea
Urea

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Changes in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections in Korean children with recurrent abdominal pain according to age and time period. Prevalence of H. pylori infection was not significantly decreased according to time period. But prevalence of H. pylori infections in children aged 4-11 years was significantly lower than that in those aged 12-16 years (p=0.018).

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