Helicobacter pylori infection: effect on malnutrition and growth failure in dyspeptic children

Abstract

There are conflicting reports regarding the association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection with growth failure. We evaluated the role of H. pylori infection on malnutrition and growth failure in dyspeptic children. The study cases included 108 dyspeptic children and were evaluated by endoscopic gastric biopsy, while 50 healthy children constituted the control group. The study cases were grouped as H. pylori [+] (n = 57) and H. pylori [-] (n = 51) by the presence or absence of microorganism in gastric tissue, respectively. Age, gender, height for age (H/A), weight for height (W/H), body mass index (BMI), weight and height z scores and the daily calorie intake of the children were recorded. Malnutrition and growth failure were evaluated by the Waterlow criteria and height z score, respectively. Then, the H. pylori [+], H. pylori [-] and control groups were compared in relation to the variables defined above. All groups were similar with respect to gender and age. The daily calorie intake was lower in dyspeptic children. Although anthropometric variables were similar in the H. pylori [+] and [-] groups, the control cases had higher W/H compared to both H. pylori [+] (p = 0.030) and H. pylori [-] (p = 0.000) cases, and higher BMI (p = 0.001) and weight z scores (p = 0.014) than those in the H. pylori [-] group. The malnutrition rate was similar in the H. pylori [+] and [-] groups. However, mild acute (p = 0.033) and general malnutrition rates (p = 0.000) were lower in the control cases compared to the study cases. The short stature rate was not different significantly in all three groups. In conclusion, the results of this study do not support the data that H. pylori infection plays an extra role in malnutrition and growth failure in children presenting with dyspeptic complaints. However, as a major cause of dyspepsia, H. pylori infection might be considered to cause malnutrition secondary to decreased calorie intake associated with dyspepsia.

Impact of H. Pylori on Growth: Is the Infection or Mucosal Disease Related to Growth Impairment?

“…In a study evaluating the role of H. pylori infection in malnutrition and growth failure in dyspeptic children, it was found that the nutritional status of H. pylori? and H. pylori-groups were not different; however, the mean daily calorie intake of dyspeptic children who had endoscopically and histologically proven gastritis was lower than that of the control group, independent from the presence of H. pylori [27]. The authors concluded that H. pylori infection is not directly related to malnutrition; however, as a major cause of dyspepsia, H. pylori infection might be considered to cause malnutrition secondary to decreased calorie intake associated with dyspepsia.…”

Potential Complications of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children of a Non-Urban Community

“…The available evidence regarding H. pylori infection and its consequence on growth in pediatric patients is still controversial and different cross-sectional studies that addressed the presence or absence of such association have been reported (34)(35)(36)(37)(38). Such apparent discrepancy and controversial results between various studies may be attributed to the nature and setting of these studies, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic factors of the tested populations, as well as geographical differences and number of H. pylori-infected patients.…”

The Effect of Helicobacter Pylori Infection on Plasma Ghrelin and on AnthropometrY Dyspeptic Children

“…H. pylori infection is associated with growth failure and possibly lower ghrelin levels (10). On the other hand, the likelihood of the association between H. pylori and growth failure still remains controversial (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). Some researchers assert that the association of H. pylori infection and growth failure is not a cause-effect relation, but rather, a coincidence of these two entities in low socioeconomic conditions (19).…”

“…H. pylori infection leads to a decreased appetite and malabsorption, thus resulting in reduced growth, lowered immunity and repeated infections (11,21).…”

“…Potential relationships between gastrointestinal disease associated with H. pylori, and ghrelin, growth and appetite still remain unclear, because other factors like socioeconomic status may also be involved (10)(11)(12).…”