Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Association of H. pylori with Serum Iron Levels and Some Risk Factors in Children Aged 1-12 Years Attending the Buea Regional Hospital

Akwo Mekalo Nya-Nweme, Jude Eteneneng Enoh, Benjamin Thumamo Pokam, Boris Tangi Fominyam, Jules Clement Assob

International Blood Research & Reviews · pp. 65–74 · Published 30 Oct 2021

10.9734/ibrr/2021/v13i130162

Abstract

Background and Objective: Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a very common human infection worldwide, colonizing the stomach of 50% of the world’s population. H. pylori play a major role in the development of iron deficiency, chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. H. pylori infection is more prevalent in developing countries and its acquisition is predominant in childhood. The aim was to determine the prevalence of HP and its association with serum iron levels in children aged 1-12 years attending the Buea Regional Hospital. Methods: This was a hospital based cross sectional study involving 189 children. About 2 mL venous blood was collected and analyzed using immunoassay diaspot one step H. pylori Test Device and spectrophotometers to determine H. pylori immunoglobulin G and serum iron level respectively. Chi-square and Odd ratio test were used to determine the association at 95% confidence interval. Results: A prevalence of 31.7% (60/189) and 47.1% (73/155) for H. pylori and low serum iron level was observed respectively. There was significantly associated between H. pylori and serum iron levels, with majority (60% (36/60)) of the HP positive participants having normal iron level 60% (36/60) (P=0.007 χ2=9.91). A significant association was also observed between HP and Anemia, with majority (41.67% (25/60)) of those positive for HP experienced mild anemia (P=0.009 χ2=11.55). H. pylori was more prevalent among males 38.04% (35/92) compared to 25.77% (25/97) for females. Conclusion: This study recorded 31.7% and 47.1% prevalence of H. pylori and low serum iron level respectively, in the studied population. Male gender was most likely to be infected with H. pylori infection and children of age group 5 ≤ - < 9 years recorded the highest HP infection. There was significantly associated between H. pylori and serum iron levels, as well as H. pylori and type of anemia, although majority of H. pylori positive individuals had high serum iron level and mild anemia. This may imply that HP remains one of many risk factors or comorbidities of anemia and abnormal iron levels.

H. pylori iron deficiency parasitic infection personal hygiene

References (13)

  1. 1 Diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia in the 21st century [DOI]
  2. 2 Helicobacter pylori: a poor man's gut pathogen? [DOI]
  3. 3 Prevalence and risk-factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in urban and rural Beninese populations [DOI]
  4. 4 Serum ferritin and Helicobacter pylori infection in children: A sero‐epidemiologic study in Korea [DOI]
  5. 5 Interactions between H. pylori infection, gastric acid secretion and anti-secretory therapy [DOI]
  6. 6 Hematologic manifestations ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection [DOI]
  7. 7 Iron Status and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Symptomatic Children: An International Multi-Centered Study [DOI]
  8. 8 Helicobacter pylori Infection and Atrophic Gastritis [DOI]
  9. 9 Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis [DOI]
  10. 10 Municipal drinking water source protection in low income countries: Case of Buea municipality- Cameroon [DOI]
  11. 11 Management of Helicobacter pylori Infection [DOI]
  12. 12 Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and serum ferritin level in primary school children in Tehran-Iran.
  13. 13 Management of Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Cited by 1

Rate of Helicobacter pylori acquisition in children and evidence of mother-child transmission in a Sub-Saharan setting

L. B. Kouitcheu Mabeku, Kevin Neville Pohoko Foguieng, Jeannette Euranie Kouam Mewa · Future Science OA · 2025

Related research

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

58

Page views

0

PDF downloads

23

Outbound clicks

1

Citations

Views over time

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.