Background: Hp infection has a worldwide distribution. Even though infection frequently occurs at an early age, epidemiologic studies have focused on identification of the source os infection and risk factors in older individuals. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Hp infection in children under 3 years of age in a periurban community of Mexico City. Methods: A random population-based, cross-sectional survey of 264 children, ages 12 to 36 months, was conducted from September through November 1996. Seropositivity for Hp was correlated with sociodemographic and hygiene characteristics among families of the children. Sera were tested for IgG antibodies to Hp with an enzyme immunosorbent assay, and Western Blot. Risks were estimated by a Logistic Regression model. All comparisons were evaluated at P<.05 (2-tailed). Results: 65 (25%) children were infected with Hp. Prevalence of Hp infection increased as age increased(P=.02). Odds ratios adjusted for age and other independent variables in the model were: Table Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of Hp infection among Mexican infants. Household crowding, drinking contaminated water, eating raw vegetables, and having close contact with puppies might play an important role in the transmission of Hp.

Table 1 No caption available.
Full size table