title: Helicobacter pylori, anemia, and iron deficiency: relationships explored among Alaska native children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attempts to understand determinants of anemia and iron deficiency have led researchers to examine the role of Helicobacter pylori infection. The current study assessed determinants of anemia and iron deficiency, including H. pylori, in Alaska Native children.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 1999, a population-based survey was conducted among 86 children (67% response rate), mean age of 43.7 months (standard deviation = 16.8 months). Samples of breath, stool, and venous blood were obtained from children for measures of anemia, iron deficiency, H. pylori, fecal blood loss, and current inflammation. Standardized interviews with parents provided information on demographics, illness, and intake of dietary iron, iron-absorption inhibitors, and enhancers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 86 children studied, 17.4% were anemic and 38.6% were iron deficient. Forty-one percent of the cohort had H. pylori-specific IgG antibodies, 86% tested positive by the urea breath test (UBT), and 80% tested positive by the stool antigen test. Presence of H. pylori antibodies emerged as a significant risk factor for anemia and iron deficiency in adjusted analyses controlling for demographic factors, current inflammation, and antibiotic use. In contrast, children with positive UBT or stool antigen results were significantly less likely to have anemia or iron deficiency than those with negative results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from different measures of H. pylori may reflect different stages of infection. Relationships between H. pylori and anemia/iron deficiency may depend on the phase of infection measured, with serologic tests reflecting established H. pylori infection associated with anemia/iron deficiency, and UBT and stool antigen results reflecting an earlier stage of infection.
authors: Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. adigiro@sph.emory.edu
authors: Ann M
authors: AM
authors: DiGirolamo
authors: Geraldine S
authors: GS
authors: Perry
authors: Benjamin D
authors: BD
authors: Gold
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Parkinson
authors: Ellen M
authors: EM
authors: Provost
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Parvanta
authors: Laurence M
authors: LM
authors: Grummer-Strawn
mesh_terms: D000413:Alaska; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000382:microbiology*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D001773:Blood Cells; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001944:Breath Tests; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D044382:Population Groups; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014508:Urea