Effect of maternal Helicobacter Pylori infection on birth weight in an urban community in Uganda

Abstract

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori, a widespread infection particularly in developing countries has been associated with many adverse effects during pregnancy including hyperemesis gravidarum, neural tube defects in newborns, intrauterine fetal growth restriction and miscarriage. We sought to document the effects of H. pylori infection on birth weight in a low-income setting in Kampala, Uganda.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study conducted in Kampala between May 2012 and May 2013. The participants were H. pylori positive and H. pylori negative HIV negative primigravidae and secundigravidae. Recruitment was at ≤18 gestation weeks and follow up assessments were carried out at 26 and 36 gestation weeks and soon after delivery. H. pylori infection was determined using H. pylori stool antigen test. Maternal weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain were calculated. Only term and live babies were considered. Low birth weight (LBW) was defined as a birth weight of <2500 gram.ResultsA total of 221 participants were enrolled with mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 20.9 ± 2.7 years. The mean ± SD gestation age at delivery was 39.4 ± 1.0 weeks. Primigravidae were 61.5 % (n = 188) and 52.9 % (n = 117) of the participants were positive for H. pylori infection. Low pre-pregnancy BMI (<18.5 kg/m2) was recorded in 14.6 % (n = 28) while 38 % (n = 73) had a height <156 cm at recruitment. Of the infants born to the participants, 13.6 % (n = 26) had low birth weight (<2500 gram).Independent predictors for LBW were the mother being positive for H. pylori infection (odds ratio, OR, 3.6, 95 % CI 1.1 – 11.5; P = 0.031) maternal height at recruitment <156 cm (OR 3.4, 95 % CI 1.4–8.2; P = 0.008) and maternal weight gain rates <0.3 kg/week during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters (OR 3.8, 95 % CI 1.0–14.1; P = 0.044).ConclusionH. pylori infection is associated with LBW among primigravidae and secundigravidae in Kampala, Uganda.

The association between Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and low birthweight in a Sudanese maternity hospital

“…6 Likewise, Grooten et al 7 reported marked associations between H. pylori infection and LBW or small for gestational age. This observation was in line with a Ugandan study that recorded a 3.6-fold increased risk of LBW delivery among women infected with H. pylori.…”

“…Plasmodium falciparum) is a preventable cause of LBW among endemic countries, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa. 6,7 In general, data on the association between H. pylori and LBW are scare. Helicobacter pylori) can also lead to LBW.…”

“…2,4,5 However, other maternal and/or perinatal infections (e.g. Previous studies found that H. pylori infection was associated with LBW deliveries, 6 reduced birthweight, 7 small for gestational age, 8 and intrauterine growth restriction. 6,7 In general, data on the association between H. pylori and LBW are scare.…”

“…Helicobacter pylori) can also lead to LBW. 6,7 In general, data on the association between H. pylori and LBW are scare. Previous studies found that H. pylori infection was associated with LBW deliveries, 6 reduced birthweight, 7 small for gestational age, 8 and intrauterine growth restriction.…”

Helicobacter pylori infection and extragastric diseases in 2017

“…36 Di Simone et al 37 also found a higher seroprevalence of In a prospective cohort study conducted in Uganda, H. pylori infection was associated with low birthweight among 221 participants (primigravidae and secundigravidae) (OR: 3.6, 1.1-11.5; P=.031). 38 In another study conducted in the Netherlands, 39 H. pylori positivity was associated with a reduction of total weight gain in women with daily vomiting (adjusted difference, −2.1 kg; −2.7 to −1.5); infants born to women with H. pylori and daily vomiting had slightly reduced birthweight (adjusted difference −60g; −109 to −12) and an increased risk of being small for gestational age (OR: 1.49, 1.04-2.14). H. pylori and daily vomiting did not significantly affect the prematurity rate.…”