Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Omani Children

Background Helicobacter pylori ( H . pylori ) infection is the most common chronic bacterial infection in humans. Its prevalence in O mani adults and children is not known. Objective To report histology‐based H . pylori infection prevalence in O mani children. Methods A retrospective study of biopsy proven H . pylori infection in children over a 3 year period in a single center. Age, gender, indication for endoscopy, history of recurrent abdominal pain, and anemia were compared between H . pylori ‐positive and negative children. Results Of 143 patients who underwent endoscopy, gastric biopsies were available on 112. The overall prevalence of biopsy proven H . pylori infection was 25%. The prevalence in children with recurrent abdominal pain was 30% compared to 22% in children who underwent endoscopy for other indications ( p  =   .382). The prevalence increased from 7% in children aged <5 years, to 33% in those aged between 5 and 10 years ( p  =   .010). There was no significant difference in the prevalence between the 5–10 years age group (33%) and older age group (29%) ( p  =   .814). There was no significant difference in gender or anemia between the two groups. Conclusions This study represents the first reported study on the prevalence of biopsy proven H . pylori infection in O mani children. H . pylori infection prevalence is 25%, is lower than regional and many A rab countries. The prevalence appears to increase till age of 5 years. There was no significant association between H . pylori and recurrent abdominal pain, gender, or anemia.