Maternal H. pylori seropositivity is associated with gestational hypertension but irrelevant to fetal growth and development in early childhood

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is known to alter growth-related hormones and cause growth faltering in young children. It is still unknown if maternal H. pylori infection has an impact on the levels of cord blood growth-related hormones and can predict intrauterine growth restriction and poor physical and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. This study aimed to examine the associations between maternal H. pylori infection and pregnancy-related adverse events, fetal growth and early childhood development. Methods: The prospective cohort study recruited singleton pregnant women without major medical illnesses from January 2014 to January 2015. Seropositivity for H. pylori was defined by >12 U/ml of anti- H. pylori IgG in the maternal serum. Demographic data and pregnancy-related medical issues of the cohort were documented. Cord blood levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), insulin, and ghrelin were determined using ELISA test. The growth of eligible neonates was monitored annually for up to 3 years, and cognitive development was assessed using the comprehensive developmental inventory for infants and toddlers (CDIIT) test 3 years after birth. Results: Of the 106 enrolled women, 25 (23.6%) were H. pylori -seropositive. Maternal H. pylori seropositivity was correlated with a higher risk of developing gestational hypertension (GH) (12% vs. 1.2%, p =0.04) and lower cord blood levels of IGF-1 (<35 ng/ml, 70.0% vs. 40.7%, p =0.02) and IGFBP-3 (<1120 ng/ml, 100.0% vs. 76.3%, p =0.02) compared with the seronegative women. No significant impact on birth weight, childhood growth and cognitive development was found to correlate with maternal H. pylori seropositivity during pregnancy. Conclusions: Maternal H. pylori infection during pregnancy was more likely to develop GH, but not correlated with fetal and childhood growth and development. In addition to close monitoring of hypertension, H. pylori eradication can be considered for such H. pylori -infected mothers.