Dynamics of Helicobacter pylori infection in infants during the first six months of life.

Introduction: Mainly due to the high percentage of infection and the ineffectiveness of treatments, Helicobacter pylori is a global health problem. Knowing the age at acquisition is key to preventing the infection.

Patients: Sixty-seven mothers and their respective children participated. To evaluate the presence of H. pylori, the faeces of the mother and her child were analysed using the HpSA antigen test.

Results: 71.6% (48/67) of pregnant mothers were positive for H. pylori at the term of their pregnancy. In newborns, 8.96% (6/67) of them showed H. pylori colonisation/persistent infection. During the first month of life, a prevalence and incidence of infection of 23.9% and 13%, respectively, was observed.

Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest that there is a high risk of H. pylori infection during the first month of life, even of the persistent type.