Related Experiment Videos
Foetal intrauterine growth restrictions with Helicobacter pylori infection
1Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, Australia.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection during pregnancy may increase the risk of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This study found H. pylori seropositivity to be an independent risk factor for IUGR, alongside smoking and maternal height.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is linked to growth restriction in children.
- The potential impact of H. pylori on fetal development requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between H. pylori infection and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 448 pregnant women in their third trimester were assessed.
- Data collected included maternal demographics, smoking history, and neonatal birth weight.
- IUGR was defined as birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age.
Main Results:
- 20% of women were seropositive for H. pylori. H. pylori prevalence varied significantly by ethnicity.
- Intrauterine growth restriction occurred in 7.5% of neonates.
- H. pylori seropositivity (OR=2.41), smoking (OR=3.55), and maternal height (OR=0.48) were independent risk factors for IUGR.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection during pregnancy may negatively impact fetal growth.
- Findings suggest H. pylori as a potential risk factor for intrauterine growth restriction.
Background:
Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with growth restriction in young children.
Aim:
To determine whether there is an association between H. pylori infection and intrauterine growth restriction.
Methods:
Four hundred and forty-eight consecutive pregnant women (aged 15-44 years), attending for routine examinations in the third trimester, were enrolled. Clinical, demographic and previous obstetric data, as well as smoking history, were collected. At delivery, the weight, height, gender and status of the neonate were recorded; intrauterine growth restriction was defined if the birth weight was below the 10th percentile according to the gestational age for infants born in Australia.
Results:
Eighty-nine (20%) women were seropositive for H. pylori. The prevalence of H. pylori was significantly lower in Caucasians (17%) vs. non-Caucasians (42%, P < 0.0001). There were 34 (7.5%) cases of intrauterine growth restriction (7% Caucasians, 16% Asians, 12% Aborigines and 0% Pacific Islanders). Intrauterine growth restriction was more common in H. pylori-seropositive women than in H. pylori-seronegative women [13.5% vs. 6%; odds ratio (OR) = 2.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.14-5.08; P = 0.018]. A multiple logistic regression model revealed that smoking (OR = 3.55; 95% CI, 1.62-7.79; P = 0.002), maternal height (OR = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.28-0.80; P = 0.005) and H. pylori seropositivity (OR = 2.59; 95% CI, 1.12-5.95; P = 0.025) were all independent risk factors for intrauterine growth restriction.
Conclusions:
H. pylori infection in pregnant women may affect foetal intrauterine growth.