Frequency of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Children presented with Abdominal Pain in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of H.pylori infection in children presenting with abdominal pain at tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu & Kashmir from January 2025 to June 2025.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 317 children aged 5-15years who presented with abdominal pain at the pediatric outpatient department of the hospital. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire addressing demographic characteristics, socioeconomic background and potential risk factors. H.pylori infection was diagnosed using stool antigen test. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23.0 version and associations between risk factors and infection were assessed using chi-square tests, with a p-value <0.05 considered significant.

Results: Out of 317 participants 176 (55.5%) were males and 141(44.5%) were females with mean age of 9.8±3.1years. The overall frequency of H-pylori was 84 (26.5%). The infection was most common in the 11-15 year
age group. A higher frequency was observed in low socioeconomic status(47.6%), those using tap water sources (32.5%), living in overcrowded conditions (31.6%) and practicing poor hygiene (34.5%) with statistically significant associations (p <0.05). No significant difference was found in genders (p>0.05).

Conclusion: This study concluded that H.pylori infection is highly prevalent among children with abdominal pain and is significantly associated with poor hygiene practices, overcrowding, unsafe drinking water and low
socioeconomic status.