Iron, zinc, and copper nutritional status in children infected with Helicobacter pylori
Mariana A Janjetic1, Cinthia G Goldman, Norma E Balcarce
1Laboratory of Stable Isotopes Applied to Biology and Medicine, Department of Physics, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Argentina.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection in children was not linked to iron deficiency or zinc levels. However, the study found a potential association between H pylori and increased copper status in symptomatic children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori infection is widespread and linked to various health issues.
- Understanding its impact on micronutrient status in children is crucial for public health.
- Previous research has explored H. pylori's association with extragastrointestinal manifestations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and nutritional status of iron, zinc, and copper in symptomatic children.
- To assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection in this pediatric cohort.
- To analyze potential confounding factors such as diet and anthropometry.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 395 children aged 4-16 with upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
- H. pylori infection diagnosed using the C-urea breath test.
- Iron status assessed via hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and transferrin receptors; serum copper and zinc also measured.
Main Results:
- H. pylori infection prevalence was 24.3% among the studied children.
- No significant association was found between H. pylori infection and anemia or iron deficiency.
- Adjusted analysis indicated a significant increase in copper concentrations in H. pylori-infected children.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection in children is not associated with iron deficiency, anemia, or zinc levels.
- A positive correlation between H. pylori infection and higher copper concentrations was observed after adjusting for confounders.
- Further research is required to validate the link between H. pylori and elevated copper levels.
Objective:
: Helicobacter pylori colonizes the gastric mucosa of about half of the world's population and it has been related to extragastrointestinal diseases. The present study sought to evaluate the association between H pylori infection and iron, zinc, and copper nutritional status in symptomatic children.
Patients And Methods:
: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 395 children (4-16 years) with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, who were tested for H pylori infection by the C-urea breath test. Iron status was determined by hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum transferrin receptors. Copper and zinc serum concentrations were also evaluated. Epidemiological data, dietary assessment, and anthropometric indicators were analyzed as potential confounding factors.
Results:
: Prevalence of H pylori infection was 24.3%. Anemia and iron deficiency (ID) were found in 12.0% and 14.3% of the H pylori-positive and 8.9% and 11.0% of the H pylori-negative children, respectively. There was no association between H pylori infection and anemia (odds ratio = 1.54 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73%-3.24%]) or ID (odds ratio = 1.35 [95% CI 0.67-2.70]). Crude beta coefficients showed that H pylori has no significant effect on hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum transferrin receptors, copper, and zinc concentrations. However, adjusted results suggested that H pylori-infected children had an increase of 9.74 microg/dL (95% CI 2.12-17.37 microg/dL) in copper concentrations.
Conclusions:
: This study revealed that H pylori infection was not associated with iron deficiency, anemia, or zinc concentrations; however, a positive relation with copper status was found after adjusting for confounding factors. The contribution of H pylori infection to higher copper concentrations needs to be confirmed by additional studies.
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