Helicobacter pylori among symptomatic Egyptian children: prevalence, risk factors, and effect on growth

• Published in: Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association
• Main Authors: Yasmine Samir Galal, Carolyne Morcos Ghobrial, John Rene Labib, Maha Elsayed Abou-Zekri
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2019
• Subjects: Helicobacter pylori; Prevalence; Growth parameters; Malabsorption; Iron-deficiency anemia; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42506-019-0017-6; https://doaj.org/article/1f8314ae534d4e9abe78b2105cbfae17

Abstract Aim This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and predictors of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among symptomatic children and the effect on growth. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Outpatient Clinics of the Gastroenterology Unit of the Pediatric Hospital, Cairo University. A total of 630 children complaining of any symptoms or signs suspicious of H. pylori infection were enrolled. Weight and height were measured for each child, and the standard deviation scores (Z-scores) for weight-for-age (WAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ), and height-for-age (HAZ) were calculated. H. pylori was diagnosed using a stool antigen test. Results The overall prevalence of infection was 64.6%. Socio-demographic variables significantly associated with H. pylori were residence in Upper Egypt (P = 0.013) and rural areas (P = 0.004), illiteracy of mothers (P = 0.017), household crowding index ≥ 3 (P = 0.011), absence of pure water supply (P = 0.005), and eating from street vendors (P < 0.001). Values of WAZ [median, interquartile range (IQR) in infected = − 1.3(− 2.7 to − 0.4) and non-infected = − 0.7(− 2.1 to − 0.1), P < 0.001], HAZ (P = 0.036), and WHZ (P = 0.005) were significantly lower in children infected with H. pylori. After performing a backward logistic regression analysis, eating from street vendors (OR = 1.879, 95% CI 1.346–2.625, P < 0.001), absence of pure water supply (OR = 1.725, 95% CI 1.162–2.561, P = 0.007), and overcrowding (OR = 1.547, 95% CI 1.100–2.177, P = 0.012) remained the significant predictors of H. pylori infection. Conclusion A high prevalence of H. pylori infection among symptomatic children was detected. The extra-digestive effects of H. pylori were revealed in the form of affection of growth parameters and reduced levels of serum hemoglobin, iron, and ferritin.