Helicobacter pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux in asthmatic children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Bronchial asthma in children is a common condition with multifactorial etiology.
• The potential roles of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and atopy in pediatric asthma are not fully understood.
• Investigating these factors may offer insights into asthma pathogenesis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of HP infection, GER, atopy, and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in children diagnosed with bronchial asthma.
• To explore potential associations between HP infection and GER, atopy, and IgE levels in this pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 137 children (1-17 years) with bronchial asthma or wheezing.
• Assessment of HP IgG antibody levels via peripheral venous blood samples.
• Evaluation of GER using scintigraphy.
• Investigation of atopy through skin prick testing.
• Measurement of total serum IgE levels.

Main Results:

• HP IgG antibody positivity was found in 8.8% of the children.
• GER was detected in 53.7% of the participants.
• Atopy was present in 37.3% of the children.
• The average total IgE level was 168.89 +/- 270.76 IU/ml.
• No significant differences in GER, atopy frequency, or serum IgE levels were observed between HP-positive and HP-negative children.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence of HP antibody positivity is low in children with bronchial asthma.
• There is no significant association between HP infection and the presence of GER, atopy, or altered IgE levels in pediatric asthma.
• The high frequency of atopy suggests a potential protective role of allergic diseases against fecal-oral infections like H. pylori.