Dietary and anthropometric indicators of nutritional status in relation toHelicobacter pyloriinfection in a paediatric population

Abstract

It has been postulated that Helicobacter pylori infection could affect growth and appetite, consequently influencing body weight. Therefore, the association between H. pylori infection and the dietary and anthropometric indicators of nutritional status of a paediatric population were investigated. A total of 525 children (aged 4-16 years) who were referred to the gastroenterology unit of the Sor Maria Ludovica Children's Hospital from Buenos Aires, Argentina, were enrolled and completed an epidemiological questionnaire. H. pylori infection was diagnosed using the 13 C-urea breath test ( 13 C-UBT). Height and weight were assessed for calculation of anthropometric indicators. Energy and macronutrient intakes were estimated by 24 h dietary recall. Data analysis was performed using a x 2 test, a Student's t test, a MannWhitney U test and linear and logistic regressions. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 25·1 % (with a mean age of 10·1 (SD 3·1) years). A tendency towards lower energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes was observed in infected patients; however, it was not associated with H. pylori infection in any of the evaluated age groups (4-8, 9-13 and 14-16 years). Underweight, stunting, overweight and obesity were also not associated with the infection. Although height-for-age and BMI-for-age Z scores tended to be lower in infected patients, the differences between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative children were not statistically significant. In conclusion, H. pylori infection was not associated with dietary intake or with anthropometric indicators in the present population of children with gastrointestinal symptoms; however, an increased sample size would be needed to confirm the observed tendency towards lower dietary intake and lower anthropometric indicators of nutritional status in H. pylori-infected children.

Role of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Body Height of Adult Dyspeptic Patients

“…Additional studies reported a statistically significant association between H. pylori infection, low socioeconomic status, especially overcrowding in childhood, malnutrition, and short stature . For example, Jaganath et al evaluated the role of H. pylori infection on the height of children in Peru . Before 12 months of age, 77% were infected, with an association between earlier age of infection and lower socioeconomic status.…”

Helicobacter pylori in children

“…Helicobacter pylori ‐infected Israeli children had a lower mean z‐score for height and growth velocity at follow‐up. Janjetic et al . evaluated the nutritional status, anthropometry, and nutrient intake in 525 children (25% being positive in the 13C‐UBT) referred to the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department in Buenos Aires.…”

“…Helicobacter pylori-infected Israeli children had a lower mean z-score for height and growth velocity at follow-up. Janjetic et al 27 Serum leptin, ghrelin, and IGF-1 levels were measured by Erdemir et al 29 in 67 H. pylori seropositive and 94 seronegative children, without finding any significant difference between groups. Two Turkish groups looked at deficiencies of other micronutrients than iron in relation to H. pylori status including reduced holotranscobalamin levels indicating vitamin B12 deficiency 30 and levels of zinc, copper, magnesium, and selenium.…”

Review: Prevalence and dynamics of Helicobacter pylori infection during childhood

“…Six papers reported UBT/stool results on H. pylori infection in symptomatic children (symptoms include: gastrointestinal symptoms, dyspepsia/dyspeptic symptoms, chronic abdominal pain, recurrent abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain or suspicion of peptic diseases; code 4 from Figure ) (Figure [references: ]). The random‐effects regression model shows 42% H. pylori prevalence (95% CI: 25%‐59%).…”