title: Helicobacter pylori infection and gastrointestinal symptoms on Chilean pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  the aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection on Chilean pregnant women and its relationship with the appearance and severity of hyperemesis and dyspepsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  quantitative study of prevalence in a transversal cut with variable analysis. The sample was taken from 274 Chilean pregnant women from the Bío Bío province through vein puncture between June and December, 2005. Pregnant women were informed of this study, interviewed and signed an informed consent. The samples were processed using ImmunoComb II Helicobacter pylori IgG kit. Statistical analysis was performed by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  out of the total number of pregnant women, 68.6% showed infection by Helicobacter pylori. 79.6% of the total sample had symptoms of dyspepsia, and 72.5% of this group presented Helicobacter pylori infection. 12.4% showed pregnancy hyperemesis; among them, 79.4% were infected with Helicobacter pylori. 73.4% of the pregnant women that showed gastric discomfort during the first three months had Helicobacter pylori infection. 53.7% of them continued with gastric discomfort after the first three months; of those, 95.8% were infected. Helicobacter pylori infection was present only in 1.5% of pregnant women without gastric discomfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  both, gastric discomfort of pregnant women and the continuity of severe symptoms of dyspepsia and hyperemesis after the first three months of gestation are significantly correlated with Helicobacter pylori infection.
authors.affiliation: Woman Health Program, Center of Familiar Health of San Rosendo, Bio Bio Province, Chile.
authors.forename: Gina Ferrer
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Poveda
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistic, Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Concepcion, Chile.
authors.forename: Katia Sáez
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Carrillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepcion, Chile.
authors.forename: Marcela Espinoza
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Monje
authors.affiliation: Obstetric High Risk Unit, Los Angeles Hospital, Chile.
authors.forename: Carlos Alvarez
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepcion, Chile.
authors.forename: Apolinaria García
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cancino
mesh_terms: D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D006939:Hyperemesis Gravidarum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index