Variation in the ¹³C-Urea Breath Test Value by Nationality in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Children

Abstract

Background: The ¹³C-urea breath (¹³C-UBT) test value is (semi-)quantitatively related to Helicobacter pylori density in the gastric antrum, and the value correlates with the grade of gastritis. The aim of this study was to assess variation of the ¹³C-urea breath test value by sociodemographic factors in H. pylori-positive children. Methods: The analysis was performed on 127 asymptomatic children (aged 5-7 years) who were identified as H. pylori-positive with the C-UBT test in a large population-based epidemiologic study in the city of Ulm (southern Germany). The parents of the children were asked to fill out a standardized questionnaire about sociodemographic data. Results: Forty-two infected children (33.1%) were of German nationality, 47 children (37.0%) were of Turkish and 38 children (29.9%) were of another nationality. Turkish children had a significantly higher C-UBT value (geometric mean = 27.2?) than German children (16.7?) or children with another nationality (19.3?) (P < 0.001). Girls had a trend towards higher values than boys (P = 0.058 after adjustment for nationality). Body mass index, education of the parents, and prior use of antibiotics were unrelated to the extent of the ¹³C-UBT. Conclusions: This study identified significant variation in the extent of the C value by nationality among H. pylori-infected children. Further studies are needed to elucidate the causes and potential consequences of these variations.