Helicobacter pylori in children of 5-15 years age group; coexistence with intestinal parasitosis and risk factors

Introduction and Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Hp infection and intestinal parasitosis in children aged 5-15 years who present with abdominal pain and to investigate the common risk factors in development of both infections.Materials and Methods: Ninety children aged between 5-15 years who presented to Celal Bayar Üniversity Medical Faculty General Pediatrics outpatient department between August 2010 and August 2011 with three or more episodes of abdominal pain interfering with daily activities during at least three month period were enrolled in this study. Screening for HpIgG antibody in blood, HpSAg and parasites in stool was carried out in the whole study population. Children positive for blood HpIgG or stool HpSAg positivity were defined as Hp positive. Risk factors for Hp positivity and presence of parasitosis were compared with a questionnaire.Results: Frequency of Hp positivity among the patients enrolled in the study was detected to be 30% and the frequency of parasitosis was 12.2%. The most common parasitosis agent was found to be G.intestinalis (5.5%). The frequency of intestinal parasitosis was detected to be 22.2% in the Hp (+) group and 7.9% in the Hp(-) group (p=0.06). When evaluated specifically, the frequency of G.intestinalis was 14.8% in the Hp(+) group and 1.6% in the Hp(-) group (p=0.01). Attending school, family history of ulcer/gastritis, using drinking water from the tap was significantly different between children with and without Hp infection in our study. Maternal education level, history of parasitosis treatment in the family and hand cleaning after using the toilette was significantly different between children with and without intestinal parasitosis.Discussion and Conclusion: The most common etiologies of chronic abdominal pain in children are Hp infection and intestinal parasitosis. This might be attributed to similar routes of transmission in both infections. It was concluded that improvement of hygienic conditions are important in this aspect.Key words: Helicobacter pylori, chronic abdominal pain, giardia intestinalis, child