Clinical correlates of helicobacter pylori infection in children seen at a Tertiary Hospital in Uyo, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Background: Helicobacter
pylori (H pylori) infection is the
commonest global chronic human
bacterial infection. Data from developed countries show that acquisition
occurs in childhood but manifestation of chronic gastroduodenal diseases occur more commonly in
adulthood. H. pylori infection has
however been associated with paediatric primary peptic ulcer disease,
though data is rather scanty. There
is virtually no data on the clinical
correlates of the seropositive Nigerian paediatric subjects though the
little data available shows higher
prevalence rates compared to that of
children from developed countries.
Objectives: A prospective observational survey was carried out to determine the clinical correlates of H.
pylori infection in ill children admitted in the emergency unit of our
department.
Methods: H. pylori Immunoglobulin
G antibody was determined from
serum samples stored at -200C using
a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, VicTorch. Data
was analysed with using SPSS and
correlates determined as appropriate.
Results: The subjects were 132
(57.4%) males and 98(42.6%) females (male: female ratio= 1.3:1.0)
with an age range of 0.5-15 years
and a mean age of 5.0 (SD±4.0)
years. The overall seroprevalence
rate was 30.9%. Clinical features
including abdominal pains,
(p=0.001), fetor oris, (p=0.0001),
diarrhoea (0.041) and family history
of dyspepsia (p=0.002), showed
significant association with seropositivity.
Conclusion: Seroprevalence of H.
pylori infection in Nigerian children is high and is associated with
common gastroduodenal symptoms.
Keywords: Helicobacter pylori,
children, Nigeria, clinical correlates.