0000000000141941

AUTHOR

Silvija Remberga

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among preschool children in Latvia: no significant decrease in prevalence during a ten year period.

Aims: Published data show a trend of decreasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Eastern European countries due to socioeconomic changes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection among children in Latvia and to compare these results with previous studies in the same population. The risk factors associated with infection were also analysed. Methods: Preschool children in kindergartens and primary health care centres were investigated using a stool antigen test. Their parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire about possible risk factors. Statistical analysis included Pearson’s χ2 test and linear regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of H. p…

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711 Pancreatic Exocrine Function in Allergic Children

Background and aims: The concentration of human pancreatic elastase1 in faeces reflects exocrine pancreatic function. Patients with allergy may have damaged intestinal mucosa or inflammation within the duodenal mucosa that could be associated with pancreatic dysfunction and disturbed digestion of allergens (that are mainly of protein origin). The aim of the study was to compare pancreatic function in allergic patients and children without allergy. Methods: The total patient sample consisted of 109 children, aged 1-10 yrs (mean age 5.2): 49 children were having allergy while 60 were healthy children or children with minor health problems. Faecal samples were gathered and the activity of huma…

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258 Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Allergic Children

Background and aims: Studies have suggested that Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection could be considered as a protective factor against development of allergic illnesses. The goal of our study was to compare the prevalence of H. pylori infection in allergic patients and children without allergy. Methods: The total patient sample consisted of 147 children aged 1-10 yrs (mean age 5.2): 58 children had allergy diagnosis and 89 were healthy children or children with minor health problems. Parents were asked to bring a faecal samples of the child and to fill out a questionnaire (demographic data, socio-economical factors). Presence of active H. pylori infection was detected by stool antigen…

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Pathogenic Escherichia coli Among Asymptomatic Children and Associated Factors

Abstract Although Escherichia coli is a part of the commensal flora of the gastrointestinal tract, pathogenic types of E. coli can cause diarrhea, especially in children. Pathogenic types are found also in healthy individuals, but prevalence of pathogenic E. coli among asymptomatic children varies and has not been studied in Latvia. The aim of the study was to determine prevalence of pathogenic E. coli among asymptomatic children and identify factors associated with presence of bacterium. Children (aged 0.5–8 years) without acute gastrointestinal symptoms were included in a cross-sectional study. Parents were asked to answer a questionnaire (demographic data, parental education, type of del…

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Helicobacter pylori Infection and Risk Factors in Relation to Allergy in Children

Purpose To analyze presence of Helicobacter pylori infection and environmental risk factors among children with and without allergy. Methods Parents of children at primary health care centres/kindergartens and allergologist consultation were asked to answer a questionnaire and to bring a faecal sample. H. pylori infection was detected by monoclonal stool antigen test. Prevalence of H. pylori infection and risk factors were compared between individuals with and without allergy using χ2 test, ANOVA test and parameters and logistic regression. Results Among 220 children (mean age, 4.7 years; ±standard deviation 2.3 years) H. pylori positivity was non-significantly lower among patients with all…

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