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Helicobacter pylori infection: effect on malnutrition and growth failure in dyspeptic children

Ozlem Bekem Soylu1, Yesim Ozturk

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Dokuz Eylul University Medical Faculty, Camliçay Mahallesi, 5182 sokak, No: 12/A, Urla, 35700 Izmir, Turkey. ozlem.bekem@deu.edu.tr

European Journal of Pediatrics
|July 10, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection does not appear to directly cause malnutrition or growth failure in dyspeptic children. However, H. pylori may indirectly contribute to malnutrition by reducing calorie intake due to dyspeptic symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Conflicting reports exist on the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and growth failure in children.
  • H. pylori is a common cause of dyspeptic symptoms in children, potentially impacting nutritional status.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the role of H. pylori infection in malnutrition and growth failure among dyspeptic children.
  • To compare anthropometric and nutritional parameters between H. pylori-positive, H. pylori-negative, and healthy control children.

Main Methods:

  • 108 dyspeptic children underwent endoscopic gastric biopsy for H. pylori testing, alongside 50 healthy controls.
  • Data collected included age, gender, height-for-age, weight-for-height, BMI, z-scores, and daily calorie intake.
  • Malnutrition assessed by Waterlow criteria; growth failure by height z-score.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in malnutrition or short stature rates between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative dyspeptic children.
  • Control children exhibited better weight-for-height, BMI, and weight z-scores compared to H. pylori-negative dyspeptic children.
  • Dyspeptic children, regardless of H. pylori status, had lower daily calorie intake than controls.

Conclusions:

  • H. pylori infection does not appear to play an independent role in malnutrition and growth failure in dyspeptic children.
  • H. pylori may indirectly contribute to malnutrition through reduced calorie intake secondary to dyspepsia.
  • Dyspepsia itself, irrespective of H. pylori, is associated with lower calorie intake and potential malnutrition.

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