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Helicobacter pylori infection and growth delay in older children
F Perri1, M Pastore, G Leandro
1Division of Gastroenterology, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori infection may stunt growth in children. This study found H. pylori infection associated with growth delay in older children, linked to socioeconomic factors and overcrowding.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is prevalent globally.
- The impact of H. pylori on child growth remains a subject of investigation.
- Previous studies suggest a potential link between H. pylori and growth disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection in healthy Italian children.
- To assess the association between H. pylori infection and height centiles.
- To explore correlations with socioeconomic status and household crowding.
Main Methods:
- A 13C-urea breath test was used to detect H. pylori infection in 216 children (aged 3-14 years).
- Height centiles, socioeconomic class, and household crowding indices were calculated.
- Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, were employed to evaluate relationships.
Main Results:
- H. pylori infection prevalence was 22.7% (49/216), increasing with age.
- Infected children, particularly those aged 8.5-14 years, showed a higher prevalence of being below the 25th height centile (25.8% vs 8.3%).
- Significant correlations were observed between H. pylori status, socioeconomic conditions, and household crowding.
Conclusions:
- H. pylori infection is associated with growth delay in older children.
- Socioeconomic factors and household overcrowding are linked to H. pylori infection.
- H. pylori infection is a potential environmental factor influencing childhood growth.
Abstract:
It is thought that Helicobacter pylori infection may influence growth rate in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H pylori infection in healthy Italian children, and to look for differences in height between infected and non-infected subjects. Two hundred and sixteen children, aged 3 to 14 years, were tested for H pylori infection by 13C-urea breath test. Centile values for height were calculated. Composite indices for socioeconomic class and household crowding were also determined. Forty nine of 216 children (22.7%) were H pylori positive. The prevalence of infection increased with age. Eight of 49 H pylori positive children (16.3%) were below the 25th centile for height, compared with 13 of 167 H pylori negative children (7.8%). This difference became significant in children aged 8.5 to 14 years; in this group (n = 127), eight of 31 infected children (25.8%) were below the 25th centile for height, compared with eight of 96 non-infected children (8.3%). A significant correlation was found between socioeconomic conditions, household crowding, and H pylori status. By using stepwise logistic regression, only the centile value for height was significantly related to H pylori status in older children. Thus H pylori infection was associated with growth delay in older children, poor socioeconomic conditions, and household overcrowding. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that H pylori infection is one of the environmental factors capable of affecting growth.