Frontiers in Pediatrics (Dec 2024)

Recurrent abdominal pain in children in Wuhu, China was not associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, but associated with <1 h/day physical activity and academic stress

  • Xiaohui Bai,
  • Huiru Cao,
  • Liuming Zhu,
  • Xiaomin Wu,
  • Guixiang Wang,
  • Wenchao Yu,
  • Yong Gu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2024.1481125
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

Read online

BackgroundRecurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between RAP and Helicobacter pylori infection in children in Wuhu, China as well as the risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in this region.Materials and methodsIn this cross-sectional survey, we randomly selected children aged 6–17 years who underwent health examinations at three public hospital examination centers in Wuhu city, Anhui Province, China. Helicobacter pylori infection was assessed by a 13C-urea breath test (UBT) kit. Questionnaires were custom designed to obtain data on behavioral, sociodemographic, and environmental characteristics, and to investigate the relationship between RAP and Helicobacter pylori infection in children.ResultsA total of 1,187 children aged 6–17 years were enrolled, among these children, 182 were diagnosed with RAP, with an incidence rate of 15.3%. A total of 266 children were infected with Helicobacter pylori, with an infection rate of 22.4%. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that physical activity for <1 h/day and academic stress are associated with RAP in children, whereas Helicobacter pylori infection, age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and fast-food consumption are not associated with RAP in children. Our research also found that the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection increases with age in children. Risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in children include left-behind children, poor hygiene habits, family history of Helicobacter pylori infection, and mother with low cultural levels.ConclusionsRecurrent abdominal pain in children in Wuhu, China was not associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, but strongly associated with <1 h/day physical activity and academic stress.

Keywords