Abstract
BackgroundHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) proved to be highly prevalent all over the world. H. pylori may modify the absorption of many nutrients. Studies have suggested that, beyond iron, H. pylori infection may affect the homeostasis of other micronutrients such as vitamins and trace elements. Our study’s aim was to assess the effect of H. pylori infection on some blood micronutrient level including zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin B12 in children with chronic or recurrent unexplained dyspeptic symptoms and/or non-variceal hematemesis.ResultsA cross-sectional case-control study was carried out in 32 children (4–18 years) with chronic or recurrent unexplained dyspeptic symptoms and/or non-variceal hematemesis. Patients were divided according to the results histopathology and rapid urease test into two groups, H. pylori-positive patients (18 patients) and H. pylori-negative patients (14 patients). Another control group of 18 children was included. Serum levels of zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin B12 were measured in all children. Prevalence of H. pylori infection was 56.2%. The mean serum zinc levels were significantly lower in H. pylori-positive cases than in control group (84.2 ± 13.85 versus 94.6 ± 6.52 with P = 0.009) and lower than in H. pylori-negative cases but not statistically significant (84.2 ± 13.85 versus 92.2 ± 8.53 with P = 0.054). The mean serum vitamin C levels were significantly lower in H. pylori-positive cases than in negative cases and control group (220.7 ± 46.16 versus 305.1 ± 28.83 and 313.1 ± 31.43 with P < 0.0001). The mean serum vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower in H. pylori-positive cases than in negative cases and control group (167.8 ± 76.98 versus 290.1 ± 69.92 and 326.1 ± 38.67 with P < 0.0001). The mean serum selenium level was slightly higher in H. pylori-positive patients than in H. pylori-negative patients and control group but not statistically significant (118.2 ± 11.13 versus 112.1 ± 8.69 and 113.1 ± 13.76 with P = 0.096, 0.243 respectively).ConclusionHelicobacter pylori infection in children has a significant negative effect on the serum levels of zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin B12.
Highlights
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) proved to be highly prevalent all over the world
Prothrombin time, prothrombin concentration, and activated partial thromboplastin time were comparable among cases and controls with no significant difference between them (12.38 ± 1.07 versus 12.07 ± 0.56, 95.78 ± 12.53 versus 94 ± 5.87, 29.84 ± 3.48 versus 28.61 ± 2.3 with P = 0.129, 0.573, and 0.186 respectively)
Regarding the serum zinc levels, the present study found that the mean levels were significantly lower in H. pylori-positive cases than in the control group and lower than H. pylori-negative cases but not statistically significant (Table 5)
Summary
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) proved to be highly prevalent all over the world. H. pylori may modify the absorption of many nutrients. H. pylori is a spiral-shaped gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the stomach, and it was first discovered in 1979 by the pathologist Warren, who observed these bacteria in an inflamed gastric epithelium, and subsequently in peptic ulcer-associated gastritis. H. pylori proved to be highly prevalent all over the world, where it infects the gastric mucosa of about half of the world’s population [2, 3]. H. pylori have been recognized as the major etiologic factor of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in adults and children. This infection is frequently acquired during childhood and lasts into adult life, which has been linked to the development of gastric cancer [4].
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