Pelser H H, Househam K C, Joubert G, van der Linde G, Kraaij P, Meinardi M, McLeod A, Anthony M
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 1997 Feb;24(2):135-9. doi: 10.1097/00005176-199702000-00005.
An association of H. pylori infection with chronic gastritis, peptic ulceration and gastric cancer is known.
Prevalence of IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in children in the Bloemfontein, South Africa area was studied. Children attending the general pediatric outpatient department at Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein were grouped according to age. A minimum of 100 children was investigated in each age group. Baseline demographic and socioeconomic data were collected.
The study showed a high prevalence of H. pylori antibodies. Prevalence increased with age: 13.5% in children 3 months-2 years, 48.5% at 2-5 years, 67.3% at 5-10 years and 84.2% at 10-15 years. Investigation of the socioeconomic data in relation to the prevalence of H. pylori was inconclusive.
This high prevalence needs further study.