Seroprevalence of helicobacer pylori infection among 7-9 year - old children in Zanjan - 2004

H. pylori infection is one of the most common infections worldwide. The prevalence of this infection among children varies due to socioeconomic development and differs among different countries. Regarding the absence of previous studies for the Iranian children, this research was performed to detect the prevalence of H. pylori infection among children of city of Zanjan. In this study 278 children of 7-9 years old in Zanjan (summer 2004) were selected by multistage random sampling and then, anti H. pylori antibody (IgG) was assayed on their serum samples. The specimens were examined by ELISA–IgG (DSL Kits made in USA) in the laboratory of Vali-Asr hospital of Zanjan. Titer greater than 15 IU/dL was considered as positive regarding to the false negative or positive states. Finally, the data were analyzed. Out of all obtained samples, 147 were positive and 131 negative, which indicated the prevalence of 52.8% of H. pylori infection in 7-9 year-old children of Zanjan. Also, based on the results there was no significant difference between males and females (P = 0.5). Different studies have shown the prevalence of H. pylori infection in children from 5% to 90%, Moreover, the prevalence in developing countries is higher. The reports varied in different parts of Iran for the adults (e.g. 30.6% in Yazd and 47.5% in Ardebil) but no previous study was done for the children. Our findings in children not only indicate a high prevalence rate but also show the importance of paying more attention to this infection.