Korean J Pediatr.  2009 May;52(5):544-548. 10.3345/kjp.2009.52.5.544.

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and iron-deficiency anemia in infants and children

• Son MH
• Yeom JS
• Park JS
• Park ES
• Seo JH
• Lim JY
• Park CH
• Woo HO
• Youn HS

• KMID: 2281457
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2009.52.5.544

Abstract

PURPOSE
To elucidate a potential association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in infants and children in terms of the other factors related to iron utilization and storage although the association of ferritin was previously studied. METHODS: We evaluated 135 infants (aged 6-24 months) admitted at Gyeongsang National University Hospital from 2000 to 2006. Western blot assays using the HP CagA antigen (120 kD) were conducted to identify infections. The concentrations of six parameters were measured: hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, soluble serum transferrin receptors, interleukin-6, prohepcidin, and C-reactive protein. In addition, the infants were classified into IDA, anemia from inflammation (AI), unclassified anemia (UCA), and normal groups on the basis of Hb and ferritin concentrations. RESULTS: In the IDA group (n=20), seven infants were infected with HP, with the other infants showing no evidence of infection. The mean Hb levels in the IDA group were significantly lower in HP-infected infants than those uninfected (7.1 vs. 8.2 g/dL, respectively); the mean ferritin levels were also significantly lower in the infected infants (3.2 vs. 6.8 microgram/L). The other four parameters did not differ significantly among the IDA infants. No correlations were found between the six parameters and HP infection status in the other groups. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the HP infection rates among the study groups. However, in the IDA group, the HP-infected infants had significantly lower serum ferritin and Hb levels than the HP-negative infants (P<0.05).

Keyword

Helicobacter pylori; Inflammation; Anemia; Iron deficiency

MeSH Terms

Anemia
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
Blotting, Western
C-Reactive Protein
Child
Ferritins
Helicobacter
Helicobacter pylori
Hemoglobins
Humans
Infant
Inflammation
Interleukin-6
Iron
Protein Precursors
Receptors, Transferrin
Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
C-Reactive Protein
Ferritins
Hemoglobins
Interleukin-6
Iron
Protein Precursors
Receptors, Transferrin