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Inverse Correlation between Helicobacter pylori Colonization and Pediatric Overweight: A Preliminary Study
Hadar Moran-Lev1,2, Ronit Lubetzky1, Dror Mandel3
11 Department of Pediatrics, Dana Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv, Israel .
Insights
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection was inversely associated with overweight and obesity in symptomatic children. This study suggests H. pylori colonization may play a role in preventing pediatric obesity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori is a common childhood bacterial pathogen.
- An inverse correlation between H. pylori and obesity exists in adults but is understudied in children.
- This study investigated the H. pylori-obesity link in a pediatric cohort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the correlation between overweight/obesity and H. pylori colonization in symptomatic children.
- To explore potential protective effects of H. pylori against pediatric obesity.
Main Methods:
- H. pylori colonization was assessed via antral biopsies during esophagogastroduodenoscopy in 70 children.
- Data collected included anthropometrics, sociodemographics, and medical history.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile determined overweight/obesity status.
Main Results:
- The H. pylori colonization rate was 31% in the study population.
- Overweight and obesity prevalence was significantly lower in H. pylori-colonized children (11%) compared to non-infected children (31%).
- Mean fat percentage was significantly lower in H. pylori-infected children.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms an inverse relationship between H. pylori colonization and overweight/obesity in symptomatic children.
- Findings align with adult studies, suggesting a potential role for H. pylori in pediatric weight management.
- Further multiethnic research is recommended to validate this association.
Background:
Helicobacter pylori, one of the most common bacterial pathogens in humans, is generally acquired during childhood. The inverse correlation between H. pylori colonization and obesity that was found in adults has not been investigated in depth in children. Our aim was to assess the correlation between overweight and obesity and H. pylori colonization in a pediatric population.
Methods:
H. pylori colonization in 70 symptomatic children was determined after antral biopsies during esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Data on anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic characteristics, and medical history were recorded.
Results:
The participants' mean age was 12.41 ± 3.16 years, 58% were females, and 24% were obese or overweight (BMI >85th percentile). The H. pylori colonization rate was 31%. There were no significant differences between the H. pylori-infected and H. pylori-noninfected groups in terms of age, gender, or clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Nevertheless, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly lower in children with H. pylori colonization compared to children with normal histology (31% in the noninfected group compared to 11% in the infected group, p = 0.04). The mean fat percentage was 24.3 ± 8.8 and 19.4 ± 6.9, respectively (p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
The findings of this prospective study are in agreement with previous studies and demonstrate an inverse relationship between H. pylori colonization and overweight or obesity among symptomatic children. A larger prospective, multiethnic investigation is warranted to more definitively determine the extent of this association.
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