Helicobacter pylori infection in Ethiopian children: A cohort study

Risk factors for infection with Helicobacter pylori (HP) were investigated in a cohort study of 121 seronegative children in Ethiopia aged 2-4 y, who had previously participated in a case-control study. Blood samples were dra wn at inclusion in the cohort study and again after 12 and 30 months. At 12 months the parents were also interviewed about putative risk factors for i nfection, using a structured questionnaire. Analyses mere made bg comparing risk factors in seropositive and seronegative children. The seroconversion rate during the first year was 31% (27/87) and during the following 18 mon ths 34% (17/50; corresponding to an annual incidence of 24%). After a perio d of 30 months, 58% (14/24) of the children mho were 24-29 months old at in clusion in the study had seroconverted, compared with 40% (4/10) of those w ho were 30-35 months old, 73% (22/30) of those who mere 36-41 months old an d 31% (4/13) of those who were 42 months old or more. These results indicat e that peak age for HP infection is below 6 y in this cohort in Ethiopia, a nd might also reflect a pattern of repeated seroconversion and sero-reversi on in early childhood. Independent predictors of HP-seroconversion were the variables 'drinking-water', comparing water from a well with mater from ri vers or pipes (RR = 1.46 95% CI 1.0-2.15) and 'antibiotic treatment' (RR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.16-2.92).