Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) infection has been suggested as a
cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) refractory to iron therapy. Objective:
The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between H. pylori infection
and IDA among school-age children. Subjects and Methods: This was a
prospective case-control study conducted for one year starting from March
2015 and included 200 school-age children with IDA and 50 age and sex
matched non-anemic controls, attending pediatric outpatient clinic at Sohag
university Hospital, Sohag, Upper Egypt. All of participants were subjected to
clinical evaluation and the following investigations: CBC, serum iron, total
iron binding capacity, serum ferritin and a quantitative detection of H. pylori
IgG antibodies. Results: Totally, 72 (36%) children with IDA and 6 (12%)
non-anemic controls had positive level for H. pylori specific IgG (P = 0.036).
H. pylori IgG antibody titer showed significant positive correlation with age
and significant negative correlation with each of Hb level, MCV, HCT and
serum ferritin. Age was higher (p < 0.001) and hematological parameters, like
Hb (p = 0.001), MCV (p = 0.002), HCT (p < 0.001) and serum ferritin (p =
0.042), were significantly lower in H. pylori positive IDA cases in comparison
to H. pylori negative IDA cases. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate
significant association between positive serology for H. pylori infection
and IDA in school-age children. Moreover, infection may increase the
severity of anemia.