Pediatric gastritis and its impact on hematologic parameters

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Hematology
• Immunology

Background:

• Non-invasive biomarkers like neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) show potential for predicting inflammation.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is linked to immune thrombocytopenia in both pediatric and adult patients.
• The impact of pediatric gastritis on hematological parameters, including erythrocytes and thrombocytes, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of H. pylori-induced and non-H. pylori pediatric gastritis on erythrocytes, thrombocytes, mean platelet volume, NLR, and PLR.
• To determine if specific hematological parameters can differentiate between H. pylori and non-H. pylori gastritis in children.
• To assess the relationship between gastritis severity and hematological parameter changes in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, case-control study involving 151 pediatric patients (1-17 years) with chronic dyspeptic symptoms.
• Upper digestive endoscopy with gastric biopsies and complete blood count analysis.
• Comparison between a control group (normal histology), H. pylori-induced gastritis group, and non-H. pylori-induced gastritis group.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in platelets, mean platelet volume, NLR, or PLR were observed between gastritis groups and the control group.
• Significantly higher lymphocyte values were associated with non-H. pylori-induced gastritis (P < .01).
• Severe gastritis correlated with a significant decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Htc) levels.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric gastritis, irrespective of H. pylori status, does not significantly affect platelet counts, mean platelet volume, PLR, or NLR.
• An elevated lymphocyte count may serve as a potential indicator for non-H. pylori pediatric gastritis.
• Severe gastritis in children can lead to a notable reduction in Hb and Htc levels.