title: Helicobacter pylori infection among a pediatric population with sickle cell disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a common presenting symptom in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). This may be as a result of complications of the disease, surgical problems, or Helicobacter pylori gastritis. The prevalence of H pylori infection in SCD children is not known. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and association of H pylori infection with RAP in SCD children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective case-control study conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, involving SCD children (subject, n = 118) and non-SCD children (control, n = 118) matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Seroprevalence status of the children was determined by measuring immunoglobulin G antibodies against H pylori using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that had been validated for pediatric use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of H pylori infection was 155 of 236 (SCD, 67.8%; non-SCD, 63.6%; OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.89-1.28; p = .493). The prevalence increased with age in both SCD and non-SCD children and was significantly highest at the age of 6 to 10 years (p < .001 in each case). H pylori infection was significantly associated with socioeconomic status of the parents (OR, 4.25; 95% CI, 1.49-12.1; p = .004) but not significantly associated with RAP in SCD children (OR, 1.21: 95% CI, 0.55-2.66; p = .632).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of H pylori infection is high in SCD and non-SCD children in Lagos, Nigeria. There was no significant association between H pylori infection and recurrent abdominal pain in SCD children.
authors.affiliation: Paediatrics Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Unit, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Lagos State University College of Medicine, PMB 21266, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. senbanjo001@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Idowu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Senbanjo
authors.forename: Akinsegun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akinbami
authors.forename: Ijeoma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Diaku-Akinwumi
authors.forename: Kazeem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oshikoya
authors.forename: Titilope
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adeyemo
authors.forename: Olufemi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dada
authors.forename: Adedoyin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dosunmu
authors.forename: Olajumoke
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Oshinaike
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G