Authors : Mandana Rafeey , Sahar Zohdy and Sara Farhang
Abstract: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) in childhood is public health problem in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia in children of this region which has a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. We investigated consecutive children (3-12 y/o) who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy without an obvious bleeding during November 2005 to 2006 in Pediatric Hospital of Tabriz, Iran. H. pylori positively was defined as a positive RUT plus positive specimens. Thirty HP infected patients and thirty age and gender matched HP negative subjects where enrolled. Gastritis was graded according to the updated syndey histologic scoring system in both groups. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity and ferritin level and complete blood count were determined in all patients. The presence of IDA was found to be significantly common among patients infected with H. pylori. The mean serum hemoglobin, serum ferritin and iron levels were significantly lower in H.P positive patients. Additionally there was a trend toward higher serum TIBC in H.P positive patients. Gastritis was more prevalent between cases with H.P infection. Refractory and recurrent iron deficiency anemia in children is still a problem in Iran. The growing body of evidence suggests that H. pylori infection plays an important role in developing anemia, it necessitates further investigations to reveal possible mechanisms.
Mandana Rafeey , Sahar Zohdy and Sara Farhang , 2008. H. Pylori Infection and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Children. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 3: 669-672.