title: Effect of long-term Helicobacter pylori infection on growth of children: a cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on growth are a controversial issue. We investigated the effects of long-term H. pylori infection on height and weight in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 200 children of 7-18 years old suffering from dyspeptic complaints were classified into two groups: H. pylori positive and negative groups, respectively. Whether the infection was impoved was followed up while performing urea breath test, and according to exposure time to the infection, the children were further divided into group 1 (≤1.5 months), group 2 (>1.5-≤6 months) and group 3 (>6 months). Antropometric measurements were obtained and repeated every six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean growth velocity scores in the H. pylori positive and negative groups were 0.49±3.85 [95% confidence interval (CI): -0.21-1.18] and 1.98±4.42 (95% CI: 1-2.96), respectively. The difference between both groups was statistically significant (P=0.012). Mean growth velocity scores in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 0.96±3.84, 0.16±4.51 and -0.85±3.09, respectively. Mean growth velocity scores of group 3 were significantly lower than those of groups 0 and 1 (P=0.005 and P=0.041). The mean weight scores in group 3 were similar to those in group 2, but the scores in group 3 were significantly lower than those in group 1 (-1.75±1.05, -1.21±1.37 and -0.88±1.49, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As the duration of exposure is prolonged in children with H. pylori infection, the negative effect of the infection on both height and weight is evident.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Konya Education and Research Hospital, 42090, Meram, Konya, Turkey. celebikocaoglu@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Celebi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kocaoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Konya Education and Research Hospital, 42090, Meram, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozel
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Konya Education and Research Hospital, 42090, Meram, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cayci
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Konya Education and Research Hospital, 42090, Meram, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ece Selma
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Solak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Helicobacter pylori; antropometry; failure to thrive; growth velocity
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