Children of Helicobacter pylori-infected dyspeptic mothers are predisposed to H. pylori acquisition with subsequent iron deficiency and growth retardation.
BACKGROUND
We tested whether Helicobacter pylori-infected dyspeptic mothers had a higher rate of H. pylori infection in their children, and whether such H. pylori-infected children were predisposed to iron deficiency or growth retardation.


METHODS
A total of 163 children from 106 dyspeptic mothers (58 with and 48 without H. pylori infection) were enrolled to evaluate body weight, height, hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and H. pylori infection using the 13C-urea breath test. A questionnaire was used to evaluate demographic factors of each child.


RESULTS
The rate of H. pylori infection in children with H. pylori-infected dyspeptic mothers was higher than that of children with noninfected mothers (20.5% vs. 5.3%; p<.01, OR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.5-14.2). The rate of H. pylori infection in children elevated as the number of their H. pylori-infected siblings increased (p<.01). For children below 10 years of age, H. pylori infection was closely related to low serum ferritin and body weight growth (p<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The children of H. pylori-infected dyspeptic mothers had an increased risk for such infection. The risk further increased once their siblings were infected. H. pylori infection in pre-adolescent children may determine iron deficiency and growth retardation.
Yang
Yao-Jong
YJ
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Ckinical Medicine, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
Sheu
Bor-Shyang
BS
Lee
Shui-Cheng
SC
Yang
Hsiao-Bai
HB
Wu
Jiunn-Jong
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers; D012307:Risk Factors; D035781:Siblings
D006454:Hemoglobins; D005293:Ferritins