<em>Helicobacter pylori</em> infection is not associated with failure to thrive: a case&ndash;control study

Abstract

PurposeThe long-term impact of Helicobacter pylori infection is complex, and concerns about the need for eradication exist. We conducted this case control study to investigate the association between H. pylori infection and failure to thrive (FTT).Patients and methodsFrom 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 13C-urea breath test was performed to detect H. pylori infection.ResultsWe found that the total prevalence of H. pylori infection was 29.2% and that there was no association between FTT and H. pylori infection (FTT group: 32%; control group: 26.4%; P=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%; P=0.003). In a comparison between the H. pylori-positive and -negative groups, abdominal pain (87.1% vs 64%; P=0.032) and the frequency of endoscopy (74.2% vs 32%; P<0.001) were significantly more common in the H. pylori-positive group.ConclusionWe found that children with H. pylori infection are at an increased risk for abdominal pain and that FTT is not associated with H. pylori infection. The decision for eradication should be evaluated carefully and individualized.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with fecal biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction but not with the nutritional status of children living in Bangladesh

“…Linear growth deficits were much more influenced compared to ponderal growth in H. pylori positive children [72]. In contrast, some studies indicated an absence of association between H. pylori infection and nutritional status of the infected children [74][75][76]. This is what we found as well in our study.…”

Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and growth outcomes in children: A meta‐analysis

“…The conclusions were inconsistent among these studies. Ten studies 24,26,29,30,35,38,40,42,44,51 believed that H . pylori infection had no or little impact on growth in children; however, most studies still supported that H .…”

“…48,49 The conclusions were inconsistent among these studies. Ten studies 24,26,29,30,35,38,40,42,44,51 believed that H. pylori infection had no or little impact on growth in children; however, most studies still supported that H. pylori infection was one environmental factor affecting children's growth. One study 31 suggested that H. pylori infection accompanied by iron deficiency anemia, rather than H. pylori infection alone, might delay pubertal growth.…”

Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and delayed growth in children: A meta‑analysis

“…Following quality assessment of the remaining 16 observational studies, a total of 15 studies with a quality assessment score of ≥7 (Tables I-III) were included in the present study (Fig. 1), including two cohort (18,32), eight cross-sectional (20,21,(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38) and five case-control (39)(40)(41)(42)(43) studies.…”

“…However, Dehghani et al (52) suggested that H. pylori infection did not affect the calculated standard deviation score (height and body mass index) (52). Cherian et al (35), Janjetic et al (38), Chiu et al (43) and Choe et al (33) reported that childhood growth and puberty are affected by iron deficiency anaemia and H. pylori infection, rather than H. pylori infection alone. Ortiz-Princz et al (46) revealed that early identification and intervention of H. pylori infection during childhood prevents further serious complications during adulthood, which is consistent with the results of the present study.…”