title: Helicobacter pyloriinfection is not associated with failure to thrive: a case control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The long-term impact ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection is complex, and concerns about the need for eradication exist. We conducted this case control study to investigate the association betweenH. pyloriinfection and failure to thrive (FTT).
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2009 to December 2011, 53 children with FTT group and matched children with the same sex and age and similar socioeconomic status without FTT (control group) were enrolled. A questionnaire was administered to the parents/guardian, and a13C-urea breath test was performed to detectH. pyloriinfection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the total prevalence ofH. pyloriinfection was 29.2% and that there was no association between FTT andH. pyloriinfection (FTT group: 32%; control group: 26.4%;P=0.67). Short stature was more common in the FTT group and abdominal pain in the control group (FTT group: 37.7%; control group: 11.3%;P=0.003). In a comparison between theH. pylori-positive and -negative groups, abdominal pain (87.1% vs 64%;P=0.032) and the frequency of endoscopy (74.2% vs 32%;P<0.001) were significantly more common in theH. pylori-positive group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that children withH. pyloriinfection are at an increased risk for abdominal pain and that FTT is not associated withH. pyloriinfection. The decision for eradication should be evaluated carefully and individualized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital; Department of Medicine, MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei.
authors.forename: Nan-Chang
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City.
authors.forename: Chien-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: Hsin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital; Department of Medicine, MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei.
authors.forename: Chun-Yan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: Wei-Hsin
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: Wai-Tao
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: Chuen-Bin
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City; Department of Statistics and Information Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Sung-Tse
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu City.
authors.forename: Chao-Hsu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, MacKay Children's Hospital; Department of Medicine, MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Taipei.
authors.forename: Hung-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: 13C-urea breath test; Helicobacter pylori; children; failure to thrive; growth retardation