Maternal infection due to Helicobacter pylori does not increase the risk of the infection in the first trimester of the life of their infants

Abstract

Introduction: H. pylori infection is acquired early in childhood. However, there is little information available regarding the role of breastfeeding and neonatal acquisition of the infection.

Objective: To evaluate factors affecting the acquisition of H. pylori in newborns and infants from infected mothers.

Patients and Method: Consecutive mothers and their newborns were recruited into the study from the maternity unit, immediately after delivery. After signing informed consent, one stool sample from the mother was obtained before hospital discharge. Three stool samples of the newborns were then collected at home at 15, 60, and 90 days of life, for the detection of H. pylori antigen (Monoclonal HpSAg, sensitivity 94% and specificity 97%). The socio-epidemiological and biomedical variables were also analysed using a questionnaire.

Results: A total of 32 mother-child pairs (64 subjects) were enrolled. The mean maternal age was 30.1 ± 5.1 years, with 53% vaginal delivery, and 85% exclusively breastfed. There were 13 (40%) infected mothers. No H. pylori infection was detected in newborns and infants up to 3 months of follow-up. No significant differences were found in socioeconomic level between infected versus non-infected mothers (both groups mostly in the very high socioeconomic category: 28% and 32%, respectively, P = .15) and in the number of family members between infected versus non-infected mothers (3.8 ± 0.8 vs 4.2 ± 1.8 persons, P = .18).

Conclusion: Despite having a significant percentage of H. pylori-infected mothers, no newborn was infected at the third month of life. The protective role of breastfeeding cannot be ruled out.