Changing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in children and adolescents

Clin Exp Pediatr. 2021 Jan;64(1):21-25. doi: 10.3345/cep.2019.01543. Epub 2020 Jul 15.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori infection has declined over recent decades. However, its prevalence remains high, and nearly 50% of the global population has been infected. In Korea, seroprevalence has steadily decreased in adults, but the status of H. pylori infection in children is unknown. The current status or trend of H. pylori infection in children is important because it can help estimate H. pylori-related diseases including gastric cancer in later life. In this review, the authors discuss the change in H. pylori infection rate among children and adolescents based on literature reviews and our research.

Keywords: Adolescent; Child; Helicobacter pylori; Infection.