Reinfection rate in children after successful Helicobacter pylori eradication

Objectives This study was performed to determine the rate of Helicobacter pylori reinfection after its successful eradication in children living in Germany. Design A total of 102 children (48 boys; 31 German and 71 other nationalities; age 1.8-18 years) with a negative C-13-urea breath test 8 weeks after triple therapy were followed up by a 13 C-urea breath test every 6 months. The cohort included 11 children aged <6 years, 58 children aged >= 6 to <12 years, and 33 children greater than or equal to12 years. Results The mean duration (+/-standard deviation) of follow-up was 15.5 +/- 11.9 months with a maximum of 4.9 years, representing 132 patient years. Only three children (aged 9.7-14.9 years, one German, two Turkish) tested positive at 6,12, and 18 months, respectively. The calculated reinfection rate was 2.3% per person per year. Conclusion The risk of reinfection with H. pylori is low in children living in Germany. There is no evidence that the reinfection rate depends on the age, sex, or nationality of the child. The low reinfection rate indicates that it is unnecessary to screen or treat asymptomatic family members in order to prevent reinfection.