Rate of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> acquisition in children and evidence of mother-child transmission in a Sub-Saharan setting

This study aims to assess age at which <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection is acquired and the role of maternal infection status in the transmission of this infection to children. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the reference Pediatric Center in Cameroon for 8-months. A total of 204 children from birth to 5 years old and their mothers were enrolled. They were tested for the presence of <i>H. pylori</i> stool antigen. Information on sociodemographic and living conditions of children were collected using a structured questionnaire. <i>H. pylori</i> stool antigen positivity was 26.0 and 57.4% among children and their mothers respectively. Infection begins two weeks after birth and peaks at 36 to 60 months old (51.6%). The crude odd ratio for <i>H. pylori</i> infection in children whose mothers were infected was 7.0921(2.5510–19.6078; <i>p</i> = 0.0001). Mothers low-income level [2.8901(1.0319–8.0645), <i>p</i> = 0.043] and preschool attendance [6.7567(1.5337–30.3030), <i>p</i> = 0.012] were significantly correlated to <i>H. pylori</i> positivity in children. Our finding showed that infected mothers and preschool attendance have a key role in intra-familial and extra-familial transmission of <i>H. pylori</i> infection among children in our milieu, that worse living conditions are the main risk factor for the contamination. This study aims to assess age at which <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection is acquired and the role of infected mothers in the transmission of this infection to children. For this purpose, children aged from birth to 5 years old and their mothers who attended the reference Pediatric Center in Cameroon were recruited consecutively for 8 months. Inclusion in the study was free and voluntary. Information on the sociodemographic and living conditions of participants were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Mother and their child’s freshly passed stool samples were collected for <i>H. pylori</i> stool antigen detection using a rapid test. Results: 204 children and their mothers were enrolled. The prevalence of <i>H. pylori</i> antigen in stool was 26.0% among children and 57.4% among their mothers. Infection begins two weeks after birth and peaks at 36 to 60 months old (51.6%). Having infected mothers, having mothers from low-income levels and preschool attendance were 7.0921 (<i>p</i> = 0.0001), 6.7567 (<i>p</i> = 0.012), and 2.8901 (<i>p</i> = 0.043] times more correlated to <i>H. pylori</i> positivity in children. Conclusion: Our findings showed that having <i>H. pylori-infected</i> mothers and preschool attendance are risk factors for transmission of this bacterium among children in our milieu. First study conducted on the rate of acquisition of <i>H. pylori</i> infection in Cameroon, a country with higher <i>H. pylori</i> infection.First study assessing the risk to being infected in children from infected mothers in the country.First study assessing the mothers’ practical care, which may favor the transmission of infection to their offspring.Large population size.Finding revealing preschool attendance as a risk factor for <i>H. pylori</i> transmission among children in central African children. First study conducted on the rate of acquisition of <i>H. pylori</i> infection in Cameroon, a country with higher <i>H. pylori</i> infection. First study assessing the risk to being infected in children from infected mothers in the country. First study assessing the mothers’ practical care, which may favor the transmission of infection to their offspring. Large population size. Finding revealing preschool attendance as a risk factor for <i>H. pylori</i> transmission among children in central African children.