Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection Among Some Children Under 16 Years in Maysan Province, Iraq

Background: H. pylori is among the most prevalent bacterial infections globally, especially in the Third World. Infection in early life is related to functional inflammatory digestive disorders that may be chronic, i.e., chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases, and an increased risk of gastric cancer. Objective: This research was conducted to estimate the frequency of H. pylori infection among children younger than 16 years of age in Maysan Governorate, Iraq, and to assess the association between infection and age category and sex. Materials and Methods: A total of 86 sera were obtained from pediatric patients attending Maternity and Child Hospital in Maysan from November 2024 to early March 2025. Whole blood was aseptically collected, and serum was obtained via centrifugation. The presence of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies tested . Results: Among the 86 children tested, 43 (50%) had Positive results for H. pylori IgG antibodies, and 43 (50%) were negative. Females had a slightly higher frequency than males. In stratification by age, children aged 10–15 years had the highest infection prevalence, implying an age-related increase in exposure or susceptibility.Conclusion: The results demonstrate a significant prevalence of H. pylori infection within children in Maysan, with significant variations according to age group. Such findings underscore the need for early screening programmes, in particular for older children, as well as awareness-raising of routes of transmission and prevention in the community. Additional studies are needed to identify risk factors and formulate public health interventions in the area.