title: Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in iron deficiency anaemia of pregnancy - a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite routine iron supplementation and promotion of diet modification, iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) remains widely prevalent in our antenatal population. Recent studies in pediatric population have highlighted the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in IDA. This study was undertaken to study the effect of eradication therapy in H. pylori infected pregnant women with IDA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized placebo-controlled double blind clinical trial was done on 40 antenatal women between 14-30 wk gestation, with mild to moderate IDA and having H. pylori infection, as detected by stool antigen test. These women were randomly divided into group I (n=20): H. pylori treatment group (amoxicillin, clarithromycin, omeprazole for 2 wk) and group II (n=20): placebo group. Both groups received therapeutic doses of iron and folic acid. Outcome measures were improvement in haematological parameters and serum iron profile after 6 wk of oral iron therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of iron deficiency in pregnant women with mild to moderate anaemia was 39.8 per cent (95% CI 35.7, 44.3); and 62.5 per cent (95% CI 52, 73) of these pregnant women with IDA were infected with H. pylori. After 6 wk of therapeutic oral iron and folic acid supplementation, the rise in haemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum iron and percentage transferrin saturation was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the group given H. pylori eradication therapy as compared to the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results showed a high occurrence of H. pylori infection in pregnant women with IDA. Eradication therapy resulted in significantly better response to oral iron supplementation among H. pylori infected pregnant women with IDA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University College of Medical Sciences & Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Guleria
authors.forename: Iqbal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Meera
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sikka
authors.forename: Gita
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radhakrishnan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D060740:Disease Eradication; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D000658:Amoxicillin; D005492:Folic Acid; D017291:Clarithromycin; D009853:Omeprazole