Trend of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Childhood: A Single-Center Experience

Helicobacter pylori (HP) is the most common bacterial infection in humans. Helicobacter pylori infection, which frequently increases with age, is seen in 30%-56.6% of children in Turkey, although it varies by region. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency of HP in children and adolescents who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and gastric biopsy in our region and to compare the changes over the years. Cases who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for various indications between 2007 and 2022 in our pediatric gastroenterology unit were included in the study. The clinical and endoscopic characteristics of 1737 cases whose histopathologic specimens were obtained, have been retrospectively analyzed from their records. The diagnosis of HP infection was based on the presence of HP on histopathologic examination of gastric biopsy specimens. Of 1737 cases, 504 (29%) were HP positive. The HP positive case rates were 14.5%, 26.9%, and 33.6% in the 0-6, 7-12, and 13-18 age groups, respectively. H. pylori positivity was detected in 65.7% of patients with duodenal ulcers, and the relationship between duodenal ulcers and HP positivity was significant (P < .001). The average HP positivity rates were 44%, 28.6%, and 24.2% in 2007-2012 (group 1), 2013-2017 (group 2), and 2018-2022 (group 3). H. pylori positivity rates significantly decreased in years (P = .001/P = .056/P < .001). We found that the frequency of HP infection in children decreased in our region over the years. Helicobacter pylori positivity was higher in older than younger children. A decrease in HP frequency prevalence may be possible in parallel with awareness and socioeconomic development.