Helicobacter pylori infection and pregnancy-related issues: literature review

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative bacterium that infects approximately half of the worldwide population. Although asymptomatic in most people, it can cause non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastro-duodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer. H. pylori infection has also been correlated with extra-intestinal diseases like unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, immune thrombocytopenia and vitamin B12 deficiency. Its impact on pregnancy issues has also been studied, but the relationship is less clear. Recently, multiple meta-analyses found that H. pylori infection is correlated with gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, nausea and hyperemesis gravidarum, and adverse birth outcomes such as birth defects and fetal growth restriction. There is no recommendation for treating H. pylori infection during pregnancy according to the Maastricht VI consensus. This article aims to state the current knowledge about H. pylori infection and pregnancy-related diseases.