Over 20 per cent of children below six years of age are affected by the helicobacter pylori or H. pylori. This is according to a research which is the first of its kind conducted only in Thimphu last year. H. pylori is a bacteria that increases the risks of developing gastric cancer. The research revealed that poor hygiene and dietary habits were the risk factors for the infection among children. Doctors from the National Referral Hospital said it is not alarming but there is a need to eradicate it to avoid future complications.
266 children were tested for H.pylori in Kuzugchen, Lungtenphu and Gidakom health centres in Thimphu last year.
During the research, infants as young as nine months old to five-year-old children were tested.
From that, over 60 of them were found to have the H. pylori infection.
The researcher, Passang Lhamo Sherpa, who conducted the study found that having more siblings and fathers working in the government or private sector were at higher risk of getting the infection.
“We discovered that using your fingers to feed the children, and also children using their fingers to eat were at risk of having been infected with H. pylori. And also, children who are not fed an adequate amount of vegetables and fruits also were at, I would not say risk factor, but eating fruits and vegetables every day was a protective factor for the children,” said Passang Lhamo Sherpa, PhD student from Oita University in Japan.
Similar findings were presented in international research whereby crowded families, paternal education level and socioeconomic status were considered as risk factors for H.pylori prevalence.
Doctors from the National Referral Hospital also said maintaining hygiene is the best way to prevent H. pylori in a child.
“The infection is transmitted through the hand and oral. So, it is very important to maintain hand hygiene by washing your hands before and after eating food, then after using the toilet, eating well-cooked food, avoid sharing food like whichever is uncooked food. These are the simple things that can be implemented to prevent the transmission of this infection,” said Dr Prabhat Pradhan, General and Oncosurgeon of National Referral Hospital.
According to the doctor, children with H.pylori infection are treated similarly to adults but with doses according to their body weight.
The doctor said that it is important to follow up with the health centres to completely eradicate H. pylori.
Singye Dema
Edited by Tshering Zam
