A localized case-control study of extra-gastric manifestations of Helicobacter pylori infection in children.

Objective: To study extra- gastric manifestations of H. pylori infection among children in Egypt.

Methods: This case-control study in which thirty [corrected] H pylori positive children were compared to thirty [corrected] H pylori negative children was conducted. Full history taking, clinical examination, CBC, serum iron, serum ferritin in addition to H pylori antibody testing were performed.

Results: Mean hemoglobin, MCV, MCH, serum iron and serum ferritin were all less in seropositive patients but these were statistically non significant. Iron deficiency (ID) was defined as serum ferritin less than 12 ng/ml; and Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) as hemoglobin less than 11 g/dL in addition to ID. Seropositive patients showed increased frequency of ID and IDA and this was statistically significant (0.003 & 0.000 respectively). There was no statistically significant difference as regards the platelet counts of the two groups or the presence of skin disorders or the gender.

Conclusions: There is increased incidence of ID and IDA among H pylori positive children. This needs to be confirmed by larger therapeutic randomized controlled trials. The hematological response to eradication therapy needs to be further studied.