The changing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Canadian children: should screening be performed in high-risk children?

While several studies have demonstrated a decline in the overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in developed countries, there is variability in the burden of infection linked to socioeconomic status and living conditions. Improved socioeconomic status, living conditions and the availability of H. pylori-eradication therapy have been associated with a lower prevalence of infection in First World populations, yet immigrants and indigenous people continue to have a high burden of H. pylori infection and disease. Although the changing prevalence of H. pylori infection in children has been recognized in a few reports, further studies are required to determine the impact of H. pylori infection in this population. Moreover, additional studies are required for those populations at risk.