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Children of Helicobacter pylori ‐infected Dyspeptic Mothers are Predisposed to H. pylori Acquisition with Subsequent Iron Deficiency and Growth Retardation
Author(s) -
Yang YaoJong,
Sheu BorShyang,
Lee ShuiCheng,
Yang HsiaoBai,
Wu JiunnJong
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
helicobacter
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1523-5378
pISSN - 1083-4389
DOI - 10.1111/j.1523-5378.2005.00317.x
Subject(s) - helicobacter pylori , iron deficiency , medicine , gastroenterology , helicobacter pylori infection , anemia
Background. We tested whether Helicobacter pylori ‐infected dyspeptic mothers had a higher rate of H. pylori infection in their children, and whether such H. pylori ‐infected children were predisposed to iron deficiency or growth retardation. Materials and methods. A total of 163 children from 106 dyspeptic mothers (58 with and 48 without H. pylori infection) were enrolled to evaluate body weight, height, hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and H. pylori infection using the 13 C‐urea breath test. A questionnaire was used to evaluate demographic factors of each child. Results. The rate of H. pylori infection in children with H. pylori ‐infected dyspeptic mothers was higher than that of children with noninfected mothers (20.5% vs. 5.3%; p < .01, OR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.5–14.2). The rate of H. pylori infection in children elevated as the number of their H. pylori ‐infected siblings increased ( p < .01). For children below 10 years of age, H. pylori infection was closely related to low serum ferritin and body weight growth ( p < .05). Conclusion. The children of H. pylori ‐infected dyspeptic mothers had an increased risk for such infection. The risk further increased once their siblings were infected. H. pylori infection in pre‐adolescent children may determine iron deficiency and growth retardation.