Case-control study on risk factors of helicobacter pylori infection among preschool children

  Objective   To identify risk factors of helicobacter pylori infection in preschool children.

  Methods   During May to June in 2001, a case-control study was conducted.64 children who were H.pylori-infected were recruited and matched them with 128 children of the same age and sex from the same class who were H.pylori uninfected.

  Results   Logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant independent relationships between H.pylori infection and the following factors: stomach trouble of the adults who looked after the child(OR=4.95);the bad habits of gnawing fingers or toys(OR=4.74);crowding(OR=3.73);accepting chewed food by adults in one's infancy(OR=3.36);toothcup-sharing with other family members in the home(OR=2.40).

  Conclusion   H.pylori infection clusters within families and H.pylori infection was often acquired in childhood by oral-oral and fecal-oral person to person spread.Personal hygiene practices and living condition were also involed in the transmission of H.pylori to children.