infection is not associated with failure to thrive: a case control study.

Purpose: The long-term impact of infection is complex, and concerns about the need for eradication exist. We conducted this case control study to investigate the association between infection and failure to thrive (FTT).

Patients And Methods: From January 2009 to December 2011, 53 children with FTT group and matched children with the same sex and age and similar socioeconomic status without FTT (control group) were enrolled. A questionnaire was administered to the parents/guardian, and a C-urea breath test was performed to detect infection.

Results: We found that the total prevalence of infection was 29.2% and that there was no association between FTT and infection (FTT group: 32%; control group: 26.4%; =0.67). Short stature was more common in the FTT group and abdominal pain in the control group (FTT group: 37.7%; control group: 11.3%; =0.003). In a comparison between the -positive and -negative groups, abdominal pain (87.1% vs 64%; =0.032) and the frequency of endoscopy (74.2% vs 32%; <0.001) were significantly more common in the -positive group.

Conclusion: We found that children with infection are at an increased risk for abdominal pain and that FTT is not associated with infection. The decision for eradication should be evaluated carefully and individualized.