A modified Thompson quadricepsplasty for the stiff knee

Between March 1987 and March 1997, we performed a modified Thompson quadricepsplasty on 20 stiff knees and followed the patients for a mean of 35 months (24 to 52). After the operation, the knee was immobilised in flexion and periodically extended. At the final follow-up, the mean active flexion was 113.5 degrees (75 to 150). The final mean gain in movement was 67.6 degrees (5 to 105). One patient had a deep infection which resolved after wound care and intravenous antibiotics. The modified Thompson quadricepsplasty with appropriate postoperative care can give good results.

Analysis of the breath hydrogen test for carbohydrate malabsorption: validation of a pocket-sized breath test analyser

OBJECTIVE

To assess the validity and clinical application of a hand-held breath hydrogen (H2) analyzer (BreatH2, Europa Scientific, Crewe, UK).

METHODOLOGY

Breath samples of patients referred to the Gastroenterology Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, for confirmation of the diagnosis of carbohydrate malabsorption were analysed with the Quintron microlyzer (Quintron Instrument Co., Milwaukee, USA) and the BreatH2 analyser, using the Quintron microlyzer as the gold standard.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine breath H2 tests (BHT) were performed in 29 patients aged 2 months to 61 years. The sensitivity and specificity of the BreatH2 analyser in detecting a positive BHT using the Quintron microlyser as the gold standard were 0.90 and 0.95 with positive and negative predictive values of 0.90 and 0.95, respectively. There was one false positive and one false negative reading. Bland-Altman plots showed a high degree of agreement between the values obtained with two different methods.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis of carbohydrate malabsorption, using a portable breath H2 analyser (BreatH2), achieved an acceptable degree of sensitivity and specificity, enabling it to be used where no alternative is available.

The predictive value of uvulo-palatoglossal junctional ulcers as an early clinical sign of exanthem subitum due to human herpesvirus 6

BACKGROUND

The clinical sign of uvulo-palatoglossal junctional (UPJ) ulcers was first noted in 1983 in a 5.5-month-old baby with exanthem subitum (ES). An earlier prospective clinical study showed that there was a strong association of UPJ ulcers and occurrence of ES with a positive predictive value of 95.3% and negative predictive value of 100%.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the value of uvulo-palatoglossal junctional (UPJ) ulcers as an early clinical sign of exanthem subitum (ES) due to human herpesvirus 6 (HHV 6) infection.

STUDY DESIGN

A case-control study of 20 febrile children with UPJ ulcers versus 26 febrile children without UPJ ulcers. These children were followed up for any development of ES and investigated for human herpesvirus 6 (HHV 6) as the causative agents of the febrile episodes.

RESULTS

In this study, 20 out of 46 febrile children aged 3 months to 3 years with UPJ ulcers were virologically and/or serologically confirmed to be due to primary HHV 6 infection. The rest of the 26 children without ulcers did not have HHV 6 infection. Of the 20 children with UPJ ulcers, only 17 of the 19 children with adequate follow-up till subsidence of fever developed ES. None of the 26 children without UPJ ulcers developed ES.

CONCLUSION

Statistically, there was a significant association of UPJ ulcers as an early sign of ES with a positive predictive value of 89.5% and negative predictive value of 100%. This finding also suggests that the presence of UPJ ulcers is a useful pathognomic clinical sign of symptomatic primary HHV 6 infection.

Airway obstruction caused by a congenital epiglottic cyst

Congenital epiglottic cyst is a rare affliction with potential for airway obstruction. A newborn boy was referred to our department for evaluation of respiratory distress and inspiratory stridor 7 h after birth. Through a transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy examination, a diagnosis of an obstructive upper laryngeal cyst was made. Immediate endoscopic surgery was performed 20 h after birth to completely remove the lesion. Two days after surgery, the patient resumed normal breathing pattern and showed no further episodes of stridor or airway obstruction.

Extra-intestinal non-typhoidal Salmonella infections in children

Extra-intestinal non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections are uncommon in developed countries but common in developing ones. The risk factors, clinical features and outcome of children admitted to the Department of Paediatrics, University of Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur from 1978 to 1998 with extra-intestinal NTS infections were reviewed. All positive cultures of NTS, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, synovial, pericardial and other body secretions (except stools), were included. Of the 98 cases reviewed, 56 were boys and 42 girls. The mean age was 2.1 years (range: newborn to 14 years). Twenty-seven children were severely immunocompromised and 21 had underlying chronic medical disorders. Bacteraemia was the most commonly detected type of infection and meningitis the commonest focal infection. The overall mortality rate was 15%. An immunocompromised state or underlying chronic medical disorder was associated with increased mortality. The three serotypes most commonly isolated were S. enteritidis, S. paratyphi B and S. typhimurium. Most isolates were sensitive to antibiotics commonly used in salmonellosis.

Pregnancies and deliveries after in vitro maturation culture followed by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer without stimulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To improve the efficacy of an IVF-ET program for unstimulated patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with the use of culture for oocyte maturation.

DESIGN

Prospective studies with the comparison of different ET procedures from March 1995 through February 1998.

SETTING

University-affiliated hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Ninety-four cycles in 64 consenting patients with PCOS.

INTERVENTION(S)

Immature oocytes were retrieved from unstimulated patients with PCOS and subsequently cultured and fertilized in vitro. Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), uterine ET, or a combined approach of ZIFT + uterine ET was subsequently performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Laboratory and clinical data.

RESULT(S)

Among 1, 280 immature oocytes (13.6 +/- 7.5 oocytes per patient) retrieved, 89% (1,139) were morphologically normal, and 62.2% (708/1,139) of the normal oocytes matured in vitro after culture for 48 hours. When intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed, 68% (481/708) developed to the normal pronuclear stage, and 88.1% of the embryos cocultured with Vero cells (266/302) cleaved. Eighty-five ET cycles were conducted and pregnancy was established in 23 cycles (27.1%), which consisted of 8 after uterine ET and 15 after a combined approach. Seventeen patients delivered 20 normal infants.

CONCLUSION(S)

The IVF-ET method using no ovarian stimulation followed by in vitro maturation culture can be a feasible assisted reproductive technology for treatment of PCOS with various complications.

Tuberculous cellulitis

We report a case of cutaneous tuberculosis presenting as cellulitis. The patient was a 63-year-old Korean woman who also had diabetes mellitus and a 20-year-history of oral corticosteroid medication prescribed for arthralgia. In addition, she had had pulmonary tuberculosis 20-year previously for which she received systemic treatment for 1 year. Her clinical cellulitis failed to respond to antibiotic therapy. Subsequent investigations, using histopathology and polymerase chain reaction, established an alternative diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis. The skin eruption cleared after treatment with isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide. This case represents a most unusual presentation of tuberculosis in the skin. The atypical features may reflect the patient's general medical state.

Long-term regulation of urea transporter expression by vasopressin in Brattleboro rats

Regulation of urea concentration in the renal medullary interstitium is important for maintenance of hypertonicity and therefore the osmotic driving force for water reabsorption. Studies in Sprague-Dawley rats showed that restriction of water intake for 3 days results in upregulation of urea transporter (UT) mRNA in the inner stripe of outer medulla of the kidney (2.9-kb UT2) but not in the inner medulla (4.0-kb UT1). The present study was performed to investigate the role of vasopressin in long-term regulation of UT1 and UT2 in neurogenic diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro) rats treated with a 7-day continuous infusion of [Arg(8)]-vasopressin (AVP), [deamino-Cys(1), D-Arg(8)]-vasopressin (dDAVP) or vehicle. Northern analysis showed that water restriction alone had no effect on the level of UT2 mRNA in vehicle-treated Brattleboro rats but UT2 mRNA markedly increased and UT1 mRNA modestly decreased after treatment with dDAVP. In situ hybridization further demonstrated that the UT2 signal is upregulated and spread along the descending thin limbs of loops of Henle and that UT1 signal is downregulated in the inner medullary collecting ducts in vasopressin-treated rats, with a greater response for dDAVP compared with the AVP-treated group. Immunocytochemistry studies revealed that the UT1 and UT2 proteins are also modified in the same pattern as the transcript changes. Our studies reveal the role of vasopressin in long-term regulation of UT1 and UT2 expression during water restriction.

Microsurgical anatomy of the perigeniculate ganglion area as seen from a translabyrinthine approach

Detailed anatomic knowledge of the microsurgical anatomy of the perigeniculate ganglion area is essential to probing adjacent to the facial nerve by a translabyrinthine approach. This study was designed to investigate the surgical anatomy of the perigeniculate ganglion area of the facial nerve from a translabyrinthine point of view. We dissected 15 human temporal bones under a microscope, measured the lengths of the tympanic segment and the labyrinthine segment by a middle cranial fossa approach, and measured the angle between the tympanic and labyrinthine segments by a translabyrinthine approach. The distance of the facial nerve from the cochleariform process to the geniculate ganglion was 3.8+/-0.7 mm. The length of the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve was 4 +/-0.8 mm. The angle between the tympanic and labyrinthine segments from a translabyrinthine point of view was 26 degrees +/-5 degrees. Precise knowledge about the microsurgical anatomy of the perigeniculate ganglion area of the facial nerve from a translabyrinthine viewpoint is imperative for facial nerve decompression by a translabyrinthine approach.

Involvement of protein kinase C-gamma in IL-1beta-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human pulmonary epithelial cells

The signaling pathway of protein kinase C (PKC) is known to play a role in mediating the action of various cytokines. Here we examined the signal transduction pathway of PKC activation and the role of PKC isoforms in interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-mediated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in human pulmonary epithelial cell line (A549). The tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein and tyrphostin AG126) and phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C inhibitor (D-609) prevented IL-1beta-induced prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) release and COX-2 expression, whereas U-73122 (a phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C inhibitor) and propranolol (a phosphatidate phosphohydrolase inhibitor) had no effect. The PKC inhibitors (Go 6976 and Ro 31-8220) and NF-kappaB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, also attenuated IL-1beta-induced PGE(2) release and COX-2 expression. Western blot analysis using PKC isoenzyme-specific antibodies indicated that A549 cells expressed PKC-alpha, -gamma, -iota, -lambda, -zeta, and -micro. IL-1beta caused the translocation of PKC-gamma but not other isoforms from cytosol to the membrane fraction. Moreover, the translocation of PKC-gamma was inhibited by genistein or D-609, but not by U-73122. IL-1beta caused the translocation of p65 NF-kappaB from cytosol to the nucleus as well as the degradation of IkappaB-alpha in cytosol. Furthermore, the translocation of p65 NF-kappaB was inhibited by genistein, Go 6976, Ro 31-8220, or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. These results indicate that in human pulmonary epithelial cells, IL-1beta might activate phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C through an upstream tyrosine phosphorylation to elicit PKC activation, which in turn initiates NF-kappaB activation, and finally induces COX-2 expression and PGE(2) release. Of the PKC isoforms present in A549 cells, only activation of PKC-gamma is involved in regulating IL-1beta-induced responses.

Glutamate-induced rise in cytosolic calcium concentration stimulates in vitro rates of juvenile hormone biosynthesis in corpus allatum of Diploptera punctata

We show that in a cockroach, Diploptera punctata, endocrine function of the corpus allatum may be modulated by L-glutamate, a major fast excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of vertebrates and invertebrates. The widely accepted concept that synthesis of juvenile hormone (JH) depends upon intracellular calcium concentration, is extended by the finding that 60 and 100 microM L-glutamate induces both an increase in calcium concentration in the cytosol of corpus allatum cells, and stimulates JH synthesis in vitro. We show that L-glutamate stimulates JH synthesis by inducing calcium influx since in calcium-free medium the stimulatory effect is not observed. Furthermore, the non-specific glutamate-receptor antagonist, 100 microM kynurenate, and 1.8 mM magnesium, inhibit the stimulatory effect of L-glutamate on JH synthesis in vitro. These results suggest that functional ionotropic glutamate receptors are present on the surface of the cells in corpus allatum, and that rates of JH are at least in part regulated via these receptors.

Peribulbar innervation and substance P expression following nonpermanent injury to the human scalp hair follicle

The hair pluck procedure alters the anatomy of the anagen hair bulb. Hemorrhage can occur in the mesenchymal sheath and breaks at the proximal epithelium, above or around the upper third of the dermal papilla, have been reported. We hypothesized that innervation, as identified with protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), and expression of the neuropeptide Substance P (SP) within the dermal papilla would also be altered following plucking. We focused on studying SP as this neuropeptide has been associated with several cellular responses, including anagen hair growth in the C57BL/6 mouse model. Four millimeter punch biopsies were obtained from the occipital scalp of two healthy adults. Hair was then plucked and additional biopsies were obtained immediately, and at 1 d, 1 wk, and 1 mo after plucking. Each set was processed for immunohistochemical analyses and in-focus optical sections of the dermal papilla were captured by laser scanning confocal microscopy and later reconstructed into single images. Following injury, SP was expressed in a disorganized pattern below the dermal papilla. There was also a significant reduction in labeled neuronal cells, and SP expression was enhanced within peribulbar blood vessels at 1 d and 1 wk. By 1 mo, peribulbar nerves, vessels, and SP expression were similar to baseline observations. It remains to be ascertained whether PGP 9.5, also known as unbiquitin hydrolase, and SP are involved in the proliferation of new matrix cells in the human scalp hair follicle following injury.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux: clinical profiles and outcome

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical features, investigations and outcome of 69 children (40 males, 29 females) with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOER) referred to a tertiary referral centre in paediatric gastroenterology.

METHODS

A study of all patients with significant GOER seen at the Paediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, Hackney Road, London, between December 1994 and August 1995.

RESULTS

The median age at referral was 16 months. Presenting symptoms were recurrent vomiting (72%), epigastric and abdominal pain (36%), feeding difficulties (29%), failure to thrive (28%) and irritability (19%). Continuous 24-h lower oesophageal pH studies performed in 57 children showed 20 (35%) had a reflux index of between 10% to 20%, 14 (25%) had a index > 20%, and six (11%) had a postprandial reflux index > 10%. Reflux was shown in 38 (62%) of 62 children who underwent barium studies. None had significant anatomical abnormalities, but in the 22 children who had a negative barium studies, six had severe reflux (reflux index > 20%). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed in 47 children showed reflux oesophagitis in 29 (62%), oesophageal ulceration in three, and Barrett's oesophagus in one. All of the children were treated with standard medical therapy. Sixty-six per cent were able to discontinue medication within 12 months and remained well. Four children (6%) required Nissen's fundoplication for failure to respond to medical therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Most infants with GOER have an uncomplicated course. False negative results were noted in both pH monitoring and barium meal. Up to 80% of children, with therapy, will improve within 12 months.

SKP-450 inhibits migration and DNA synthesis stimulated by oxidized low density lipoprotein in smooth muscle cells

This study was carried out to examine the inhibitory effects of SKP-450 (2-[2"(1", 3"-dioxolone)-2-methyl]-4-(2'-oxo-1'-pyrrolidinyl)-6-nitro-2H-1-be nzo pyran), a potassium channel opener, on the proliferation and migration stimulated by oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) of cultured smooth muscle cells of Wistar Kyoto rat aorta. SKP-450 (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) as well as probucol (10(-7)-10(-5) M) reduced the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances from LDL submitted to CuSO(4) (10 microM). The increased [3H]thymidine incorporation and migration (chemotactic and wound-edge) of the cultured smooth muscle cells in association with increased production of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-like immunoreactivity stimulated by oxidized LDL were significantly reduced by SKP-450 (10(-7)-10(-6) M). Inhibition by SKP-450 of the oxidized LDL-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation was antagonized by iberiotoxin (10(-7) M), but not by glibenclamide (10(-6) M), suggestive of mediation of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel opening in the action of SKP-450. Taken together, SKP-450 inhibited the proliferation and migration of the smooth muscle cells as well as PDGF production stimulated by oxidized LDL, accompanying with its antiperoxidative action.

The hemispherical porous acetabular component fixed by press-fit technique and additional screws

Seventy consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties in which a Harris-Galante porous-coated acetabular component had been used from October, 1986 to December, 1989 were reviewed for 5 to 9 years follow-up. We performed the retrospective, clinical and radiological analysis of the hemispheric, porous-coated, cementless acetabular component using press-fit and screw fixation. No component had detectable migration or any other position change. No acetabular fractures and no screw problems were noted. Initial peripheral gaps were observed in 11 cases (16%). Twelve cases had a postoperative polar gap less than 0.5 mm which were stabilized at 2 years postoperatively. Radiolucent line was present in at least one zone in 53% of cases and occurred most frequently in zones 1 and 3. No continuous radiolucent line greater than 2 mm was seen in any zone and radiolucent lines were stabilized 2-3 years postoperatively. Twelve hips (17.1%) had osteolysis of the acetabulum. No acetabular component was revised because of aseptic loosening. Revision arthroplasties were performed in 9 hips during follow-up. We concluded that the hemispheric porous-coated, acetabular components using press-fit and screw fixation had good results with a 5 to 9-year follow-up.

Deaths following acute diarrhoeal diseases among hospitalised infants in Kuala Lumpur

The risk factors and modes of death following acute diarrhoeal illness in children admitted to University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between 1982 and 1997 were studied retrospectively. Among 4,689 cases of acute gastroenteritis admitted, ten deaths were noted. The case mortality rate was 2.1/1000 admissions. All deaths were infants below one year, with eight females and two males. Acute renal failure and acute pulmonary oedema were common preceding events. Female sex, infants less than twelve months, the presence of hyper or hyponatraemia and moderate to severe dehydration on admission were risk factors for deaths.

Salmonella meningitis and its complications in infants

OBJECTIVE

To review the presenting features, complications and outcome of infants with Salmonella meningitis.

METHODOLOGY

Retrospective review of all cultures of cerebrospinal fluid positive for bacteria in children below 12 years of age, processed at the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur from 1973 to 1997. Records of all cases positive for Salmonella species were retrieved and studied.

RESULTS

Thirteen infants aged 3 days to 9 months with Salmonella meningitis were included. The median age of onset of symptoms was 4 months. The clinical and laboratory features were similar to other causes of bacterial meningitis. Salmonella enteritidis was the commonest serotype isolated. Nine infants developed fits, six of which were difficult to control. Other complications noted were hydrocephalus (five), subdural effusions (four), empyema (three), ventriculitis (two), intracranial haemorrhage and cerebral abscess (one each). The use of ampicillin and/or chloramphenicol and inadequate duration of therapy resulted in recrudescence or relapse in five infants. The overall mortality was 18%. The presence of empyema, intracerebral abscess, ventriculitis, hydrocephalus, and intracranial haemorrhage were associated with adverse neurodevelopmental sequelae or death. More than half of those who survived had normal long-term outcome.

CONCLUSION

Infants who developed neurological complications as a result of Salmonella meningitis had significant mortality and adverse long-term neurodevelopment outcome.

Acne mechanica due to an orthopedic crutch

Acne mechanica describes local irritation due to the skin being pressured, occluded, rubbed, squeezed, stretched, or heated. Examples of various physical traumas that provoke lesions in acne patients are given. Users of orthopedic crutches are at particular risk for such conditions. A crutch is another extrinsic factor to be added to the list of causes of acne mechanica.

Synthesis of four diastereomeric 3,5-dialkoxy-2,4-dimethylalkanals by a simple extension of the non-aldol aldol process to bis(propionates)

[formula: see text] The synthesis of all four diastereomers of bis(propionates), 3,5-dialkoxy-2,4-dimethylalkanals, by non-aldol aldol chemistry is described. The epoxy alcohols (3, 4) were converted into the mesylates (9, 11) which were cleanly rearranged to the desired 3,5-bis(oxygenated)-2,4-dimethylalkanals (10, 12) in high yield. The epoxy mesylates (13, 16) gave the desired products (14, 17) in good yield on treatment with TMSOTf and a hindered base.

A case of pre-Sézary syndrome preceded by hand lesions

Pre-Sézary syndrome is an erythroderma with a chronic course, clinical findings of Sézary syndrome, lymphocytic subepidermal band infiltration at times, and repeated cycles of circulating Sézary cells of less than 1,000 cells/mm3. Duration of the pre-existing skin diseases preceding pre-Sézary erythroderma varies from a few weeks to 20 years. Before the erythroderma develops, these patients are diagnosed with contact dermatitis, neurodermatitis, chronic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, or asteatotic eczema. Hand lesion also precedes the pre-Sézary erythroderma. This condition has been controlled by three cycles of chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, cytoxan, doxorubicin, and prednisolone. We describe a case of pre-Sézary syndrome preceded by hand lesion and treated with chemotherapy.

Chronic diarrhoea in infants and young children: causes, clinical features and outcome

OBJECTIVES

To review the causes, clinical features and outcomes of Malaysian children who had chronic diarrhoea.

METHODOLOGY

A prospective study was performed on children with diarrhoea of more than 14 days' duration who were managed at the Department of Paediatrics, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1997.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (14 boys and 13 girls) were studied. The median age of onset of diarrhoea was 6 months and the mean duration of symptoms before referral was 66.5 days. The underlying causes of diarrhoea were found to be: (i) prolonged diarrhoea due to well-defined entities (intestinal lymphangiectasia, two cases; congenital glucose-galactose malabsorption, one case; post-small bowel resection, one case; (ii) postenteritis diarrhoea (cow's milk protein intolerance, eight cases; secondary lactose intolerance, four cases; transient monosaccharide intolerance, one case; (iii) gastrointestinal infections (nontyphoid Salmonella gastroenteritis, three cases; trichuriasis, two cases; amoebiasis, one case; adenovirus, one case; (iv) cases in which a firm diagnosis could not be established (three cases). The mean duration of hospital admission was 63 days. Sixteen cases required a change in diet, while nine cases required total parenteral nutrition. One death occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic childhood diarrhoea in Malaysia had a variety of aetiologies. A specific diagnosis could be established in 90% of cases. Making a diagnosis was important because this led to appropriate therapy and a good outcome in 96% of cases.

Pulmonary nocardiosis in a child with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIE) is a rare condition characterised by marked elevation of serum IgE level, chronic dermatitis, intense pruritus, and recurrent serious infection. The major organism is usually S aureus. We report a case of an infant with HIE, who had pulmonary nocardiosis. The clinical features, immunological abnormalities, and radiological features of the condition are described. The child finally succumbed to the complications of pulmonary nocardiosis.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Malaysian children: evidence for ethnic differences in childhood

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in healthy Malaysian children and to discover whether differences exist among children of different races.

METHODS

Serum samples from asymptomatic children tested for H. pylori seropositivity using an ELISA test.

RESULTS

Five hundred and fourteen healthy urban Malaysian children aged 0.5 to 17 (mean 5.9) years from three different racial groups had their blood tested for H. pylori antibodies. The overall prevalence was 10.3%. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of infection between boys and girls, but a significant rise was noted with increasing age (P = 0.009). Seropositivity was most common in the Indians and lowest in the Malays (P = 0.001). Father's level of education did not affect the child's rate of H. pylori seropositivity.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of H. pylori seropositivity among asymptomatic urban Malaysian children is lowest in Malays. Intermediate in Chinese and highest in Indians. The racial differences found in children are consistent with those found in Malaysian adults.