PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Bin Mohanna, Mabrook A.
AU  - Al-Zubairi, Lutf M.
AU  - Sallam, Abdul K.
TI  - Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and parasites in symptomatic children examined for Helicobacter pylori antibodies, antigens, and parasites in Yemen
DP  - 2014 Nov 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1408--1411
VI  - 35
IP  - 11
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/35/11/1408.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/35/11/1408.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2014 Nov 01; 35
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and parasites in symptomatic children examined for H. pylori antibodies, antigens, and parasites in Yemen.METHODS: A record-based study was carried out at Specialized Sam Pediatric Center in Sana’a, Yemen for 3 years between 2011-2013. Out of the 43,200 patients seen for different causes through that period, 1008 (2.3%) (females: 675 [67%]; males: 333 [33%]) had gastric complaints, and were subjected to an examination of blood and stool for H. pylori and parasites. Data regarding age and gender was also collected.RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 3-15 years. The prevalence of H. pylori among children examined for H. pylori was 65%, 30% of them were males, and 35% were females (chi square [I2]=142, p<0.01]). The prevalence in the 6-8 years age group was 83%, and it was 52% in the age group of 12-15 years. The prevalence of giardiasis was 10%, and amoebiasis was 25%.CONCLUSION: Prevalence of H. pylori infection among children was high, and was more prevalent in the age group of 6-8 years than in the other age groups. Females were more affected than males. Parasites (amoebiasis and giardiasis) infestation was less prevalent.