Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.
1999 Sep;2(2):147-152.
Seroepidemiology of H. pylori Infection in Normal Preschool Children
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Clinical Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
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PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in normal preschool children.
METHODS
Study population consisted of 220 preschool children aged 2 to 5 years in Seoul, Korea. We measured H. pylori specific IgG antibody using the GAP test IgG kit, and samples with concentrations greater than 20 U/ml were considered positive.
RESULTS
Of the 220 children, 5 (2.3%) were positive, and thirteen (5.9%) of 220 were equivocally probable positive.
CONCLUSION
The positive rate of H. pylori infection detected by specific IgG antibody in normal preschool children aged 2 to 5 years was approximately 2.3% to 8.2%. This prevalence rate is still high, compared to that of the West. A better knowledge of the transmission of H. pylori is crucial to formulate recommendations for lowering the rate.