Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with low serum ferritin levels in Israeli Arab children: a seroepidemiologic study

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2009 Aug;49(2):262-4. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0b013e31818f0a0d.

Abstract

We examined the association between Helicobacter pylori seropositivity and low ferritin levels in sera of 509 Israeli Arab children aged 1 to 19 years. Serum ferritin levels were measured using the immunoturbidity assay. ELISA was used to detect serum IgG antibodies to H pylori and IgG antibodies to H pylori CagA strains. Low ferritin level was found between 14.5% and 8.6% of the H pylori seropositive and seronegative participants, respectively (P = 0.035). A trend for a higher frequency of low ferritin was detected among H pylori-CagA seropositive children. Multivariate analysis showed an increased frequency of low ferritin only among children younger than or equal to 5 years: adjusted OR 4.62 (95% CI 1.53-13.99) P = 0.007.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / blood
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / complications*
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / ethnology
  • Arabs
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Ferritins / blood*
  • Ferritins / immunology
  • Helicobacter Infections / blood
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications*
  • Helicobacter Infections / microbiology
  • Helicobacter pylori*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Infant
  • Israel / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Ferritins