[A serological study on the infection of Helicobacter pylori among children].

Using ELISA method, anti-H. pylori IgG and IgM were detected in 181 sera from patients (aged 2-14 years) complaining of repeated midepigastical pain and 152 sera of controls. The positive rate of anti-H, pylori IgG in the patients was 53%, significantly higher than those of control groups (34.6%-35%), (P < 0.05). The presence of anti-H. pylori IgG in serum can assist in the diagnosis of H. pylori, but can not indicate the existence of H. pylori. There were no evident relationships between level of antibodies (anti-H. pylori IgG and IgM) and the degree of H. pylori infection, or the duration of disease. Children's H. pylori infection increases with age. Elder children have the same positive rate of anti-H. pylori IgG as adults. Hence, eradication of H. pylori infection should be focused not only on adults but also on children.