Early Helicobacter pylori colonisation: the association with growth faltering in The Gambia
J E Thomas1, A Dale, J E G Bunn
1MRC Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, UK. j.e.thomas@ncl.ac.uk
Insights
Early Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection in infants is linked to malnutrition and growth faltering. This effect was observed in two cohorts but did not persist into later childhood.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is a common human pathogen, but the early stages of infection and its impact on child development are not well understood.
- Existing research suggests a potential link between H pylori colonization and impaired childhood nutrition and growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical manifestations of early H pylori colonization in infants.
- To determine the association between H pylori colonization and the development of infant malnutrition and growth faltering.
Main Methods:
- Prospective longitudinal cohort studies were conducted in rural West Africa.
- Two cohorts, comprising 125 infants and 65 children, were followed.
- H pylori colonization was identified using 13C urea breath tests, and infant growth was monitored through serial measurements.
Main Results:
- Infants colonized with H pylori showed significantly lower weight, height, and thinner body mass compared to uncolonized peers in both cohorts.
- No socioeconomic or demographic factors were found to confound this association.
- The observed growth deficit was not apparent by the ages of 5-8 years.
Conclusions:
- Early H pylori colonization in infancy appears to be a risk factor for developing malnutrition and growth faltering.
- While the impact on growth is significant in early childhood, it seems to be a transient effect, not persisting into later childhood.
Background:
Helicobacter pylori is one of the commonest causes of chronic infection of mankind, yet the natural history of acute infection is poorly understood. Some studies suggest that gastric colonisation with H pylori is associated with suboptimal nutrition and growth in childhood.
Aims:
To describe the clinical features of early H pylori colonisation and assess its role in the development of infant malnutrition and growth faltering.
Methods:
Two consecutive prospective longitudinal cohort studies were conducted at the Medical Research Council Laboratories in a rural community in The Gambia, West Africa. The first birth cohort of 125 infants was followed by a second of 65 children from the same community. H pylori colonisation was detected by sequential 13C urea breath tests, and infant growth was monitored by serial measurements.
Results:
Children with early H pylori colonisation became significantly lighter, shorter, and thinner than their peers in late infancy. The association was found in both cohorts. No socioeconomic or demographic confounding variables were identified to explain this, and the weight deficit was no longer detectable when the children were aged 5-8 years.
Conclusions:
Results suggest that H pylori colonisation in early infancy predisposes to the development of malnutrition and growth faltering, although the effect did not persist into later childhood.
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