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

Abstract

Background:Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections world-wide and has several adverse consequences particularly on health of pediatric patients. Objectives: The current study addressed various clinical presentations associated with H. pylori infections among children of a rural community. Materials and Methods:In this case-control study, the number of cases (H. pylori-positive) were 120 (52.5% boys and 47.5% girls) and the control group (H. pylori-negative) were 100 cases aged 7 -12 years old (Mean 9.9 ± 3 years). H. pylori infection was defined by positive results for H. pylori stool antigen test and serum IgG or urea breath test. All pediatric participants were assessed for weight, height, sideropenic anemia and gastrointestinal symptoms. Results:The results showed that recurrent abdominal pain, recurrent vomiting and anorexia were 81 (67.5%), 24 (20%) and 15 (12.5%), respectively in H. pylori-infected patients, compared to 28 (28%), 8 (8%) and 4 (4%) in control group. Weight and height were 20.4 ± 1 kg and 128.1 ± 1 cm in case group compared to 25.6 ± 1.7 kg and 133.8 ± 2 cm in control group. Sideropenic anemia was 36.7% in patients compared to 15% in control. Conclusions: In conclusion, the study findings revealed that pediatric H. pylori infection is associated with recurrent abdominal pain, anorexia and recurrent vomiting, also adversely affects the growth of children in various modalities; in particular weight, height and progressive incidence of sideropenic anemia.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Peptic Ulcer Disease among Young People

“…From literature review, it has been well proven that H. pylori infection comes along with both gastric and extra-gastric complications which are likely to be developed by the infected young person [28]. These various complications are due to late eradiation of the infection, and most of the times resulting from its asymptomatic nature at the early stage, as younger children hardly develop complications [11,29].…”

“…The large range of gastric complications of H. pylori infection includes severe recurrent abdominal pain, gastric esophageal reflux (GER), gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALT), Peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, chronic gastritis, and others [4]. Also, some extra-gastric conditions that may be present in the delay eradication of the infection among the young people includes iron deficiency anemia, chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, growth retardation, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, normal tension glaucoma and others [9,28].…”

The Influence of Helicobacter pylori Infection Treatment on Psoriasis Severity

“…Some signs and symptoms commonly associated with H. pylori infection include fatigue, weakness, digestive bleeding, gastric reflux, weight loss, low appetite, bloating in the belly, dark stools, frequent burping, nausea, vomiting, gnawing or searing stomach pain [30,31]. Although it can happen at other times, abdominal pain typically manifests itself in the early morning hours, between meals, and when the stomach is empty [32]. Late eradication of the H. pylori infection can be accompanied by both gastric and extra-gastric complications [33,34].…”

Quality of Life in Children With Recurrent Abdominal Pain Caused by Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Bandung, Indonesia

“…Many researchers had shown an association between H. pylori infection and RAP [6] . The frequency of H. pylori infection in RAP children from various studies in China, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia and Egypt ranged from 18.6% to 67.5% [7][8][9][10][11][12] .…”