Seroprevalance of Helicobacter pylori in undernourished children: A hospital based study
Journal Title: Pediatric Review: International Journal of Pediatric Research - Year 2016, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: Helicobacter pylori is a gram negative, spiral flagellated bacillus that persistently colonizes the human stomach. H.pylori incidence in most of the developing countries including India is around 80% and most of the infection is acquired by 10 years of age. In children it is associated with anaemia and undernutrition..We have taken up this study to find out its seroprevalance in undernourished children aged 6-12 years admitted in the hospital for various reasons.Material and Methods: This is a cross sectional study done over a period of one year in the pediatric department of a teaching hospital. After ethical committee clearance and parental consent, data was collected in a pretested proforma and serology was done for Ig G antibodies against H.pylori.(ELISA) in which a titre of >12micrograms/ml was considered positive.Results:We studied 60 children who fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The male to female ratio was comparable in the different age groups,with total29 males and 31 females.63.3% of the children tested positive for antibodies against H.pylori. The seropositive children had significantly high tendencyof having symptoms of H.pylori infection. The relation between H.pylori seropositivity and low BMI was significant (p<0.005).72.7% of children who regularly consumed raw vegetables were seropositive but this association was not statistiticallysignificant.Low SES and increased overcrowding indexstatus was significantly associated with seropositivity.LowHb as per age and sex and low PCV were associated with seropositivity.Conclusion:Our study showed seroprevalance of H.pylori to be 63.3% in undernourished children. LowSES, overcrowding,open field defecation were significantly associated with H pylori infection. Low BMI, anemia and low PCV werestrongly associated with H.pylori seropositivity. Thus we conclude that H.pylori contributes to morbidity of already undernourished children therefore H pylori eradication regimen should be considered in undernourished children with suggestive symptoms.
Authors and Affiliations
Shikha Malik, Shweta Sharma, Rashmi Dwivedi
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