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Comparison of the Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection Between the Exclusively Breastfed and Formula- or Mixed-Fed Infants in the First Six Months of Life Publisher



Asgarshirazi M1 ; Nayeri F2 ; Shariat M2 ; Dalili H3 ; Abdollahi A4 ; Ziaei S1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Pediatric Department, School of Medecine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Imam Khomeini Hospitals Complexes, Vali-asr Hospital, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Research Center, Tehran university of Medical Sciences, Family Health Institute, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Breastfeeding Research Center, Tehran university of Medical Sciences, Family Health Institute, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Pathology Department, School of Medecine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Imam Khomeini Hospitals Complexes, Vali-asr Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Comprehensive Pediatrics Published:2017


Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a commongastrointestinal pathogen in human. The mechanism of its acquisition and transmission is unclear, although the most likely mode of transmission is fecal-oral or oral-oral. Most of infections occur in childhood. The current cohort assessed the prevalence of infection in infants with different feeding strategies (exclusive breastfeeding, formula, or mixed feeding). Methods: The current study was carried out in Vali-Asr hospital of Imam Khomeini hospital complex, Tehran, Iran, from 2012 to 2015.The study population included infants born in this hospital and registered in breastfeeding research center during the first 6 months of life. They were compared in 2 groups; exclusively breastfed, and formula or mixed fed. Mothers' H. pylori infection was checked serologically using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and those of infants by monoclonal antibody test using ELISA technique on stool samples at 1st and 6th month of life. Results: A total of 102 infants in 2 groups (54 exclusively breastfed and 48 formula or mixed fed) completed the study. Mothers' serological assessmentswerepositive in68% of exclusively breast-fed subjectsand60% of formula ormixedfed subjects. All 1-monthold infants were negative for the infection and in the 6-month-old infants 10 cases (18.5%) were positive, 1 case was at borderline in the exclusively breastfed, and 13 cases (27%) were positive in formula- or mixed-fed subjects. This difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.302). The Mantel-Hanzel test was used to find a relationship in H. pylori positivity in mothers and infants during the first 6-month of life in each of the 2 groups. It was found that out of 37 serologically positive mothers in the breastfed group, 8 infants (22%) were H. pylori positive and in the formula and mixed-fed group, of 29 serologically positive mothers 10 infants (34%) were also H. pylori positive, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.727). It meant that the prevalence of infantile H. pylori infection was similar in the 2 groups. Conclusions: The current study findings showed that exclusive breastfeeding had no role in protection or facilitation of H. pylori infection. © 2017, Journal of Comprehensive Pediatrics.