Helicobacter pylori infection and dyspepsia in pregnancy

To investigate the relationship of Helicobacter pylori infection with dyspeptic symptoms in early and late pregnancy. Infection with H pylori and pregnancy outcome were also assessed.

H pylori seropositivity was determined in 416 antenatal patients at 10 to 14 weeks' gestation. Dyspeptic symptoms were recorded at 10 to 14 weeks' gestation and at 30 to 32 weeks' gestation by means of a well-validated questionnaire. Details of pregnancy outcome were recorded from patients' case notes.

The incidence of H pylori infection in our population was 41.8% (164 of 404). Patients infected with H pylori were no more likely than controls to experience dyspepsia at 10 to 14 weeks' or at 30 to 32 weeks' gestation (P =.75 and.43, respectively).

H pylori infection was not associated with preterm delivery, non reassuring fetal status in labor, or birth weight less than the 10th centile (P =.17,.57, and.19, respectively).H pylori infection is not associated with an increase in dyspepsia or with maternal or neonatal morbidity.