Seroprevalence of helicobacter pylori in a pediatric population

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the common bacterial infections in humans. In this study, seroprevalence of]H. pylori infection in a pediatric population in izmir and its relationship with different variables were investigated. Two hundred twenty-six children (115 boys, 111 girls, age range: 1-18) were tested for anti-H. pylori IgG. Socioeconomic conditions, living area turban or rural), and number of people living in the same house were noted for each subject. H. pylori antibodies were determined by an enzyme immunoassay. Overall, 120 (53%) subjects were seropositive for I-I. pylori. The seroprevalence of H. pylori increased significantly with age and poor socioeconomic conditions. Seroprevalence did not differ according to sex, number of people living in the same house or living area.