Fall CH, Goggin PM, Hawtin P, Fine D, Duggleby S. Growth in infancy, infant feeding, childhood living conditions, and Helicobacter pylori infection at age 70.
Arch Dis Child 1997;
77:310-4. [PMID:
9389233 PMCID:
PMC1717348 DOI:
10.1136/adc.77.4.310]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM
To examine childhood correlates of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults.
DESIGN
Follow up study of men and women whose birth weight, weight at age 1 year, and feeding in infancy were recorded by health visitors. Data on childhood housing conditions were obtained by recall.
SUBJECTS
631 men and 389 women born in Hertfordshire during 1920-30 and still living in the east or northwest districts of the county.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Serum H pylori IgG antibodies measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
RESULTS
Independent of their current social class, subjects were more likely to be H pylori seropositive if they had large numbers of siblings (p < 0.0001), and if they had lived in a crowded house (p = 0.001), or shared a bedroom or bed in childhood (p = 0.02). Low weight at 1 year was associated with increased seropositivity rates in men (p = 0.0002), but not women (p = 0.8). Men and women who were breast fed in infancy were less likely to be seropositive than those who were bottle fed (p = 0.08).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings support the current view that H pylori infection is often acquired in childhood by close person to person contact, and persists into adult life. H pylori infection may be a cause of failure to thrive in infancy, especially in boys. Alternatively, small infants may be more susceptible to infection. Breast feeding may prevent early infection.
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