Prevalence of Primary Multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The emergence and global spread of multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori (MDR H. pylori) is a major health problem in children, which can increase the risk of serious complications such as gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of primary MDR H. pylori in children via a comprehensive systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Methods: All potential studies were collected from international databases like: ISI Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus from 2011-July 24, 2022. Ultimately, primary MDR H. pylori in children was measured as an event rate with corresponding 95% confidence intervals.

Results: A total of 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of primary MDR H. pylori in children was measured at 6.0% (95% CI: 3.1-11.6); There was a significant difference in primary MDR H. pylori resistance rates between Asian populations and Western countries.

Conclusions: The global spread of MDR H. pylori strains could significantly limit the options of anti-H. pylori treatment regimens. The frequency of primary MDR H. pylori infection differs between various geographical regions. Thus, drug susceptibility testing and the eradication of H. pylori infection can effectively reduce and control the spread of H. pylori antibiotic resistance throughout the world.