Effects of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Infection Before and After Eradication Treatment on Physical Development and Nutritional Indicators of Children

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection causes digestive disorders in children. Objectives: To investigate whether Hp infection affects the physical development and nutritional indicators of children. Methods: This retrospective study included 100 healthy children and 112 children with Hp infection who received eradication treatment. A retrospective statistical analysis was conducted on the height, weight, hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), serum iron (SI), albumin (ALB), and 25-(OH)D3 levels of all selected children. Results: Of the 112 children with Hp infection, 23 (20.5%) showed a positive 13C-urea breath test after a 1-year follow-up, and they were classified into the recurrence group. Following a 1-year follow-up, 89 (79.5%) children demonstrated negative results in the 13C-urea breath test and were selected for the non-recurrence group. Analysis of physical development and nutritional indices revealed lower Hb, SI, SF, and 25-(OH)D3 levels in the study group than in the control group before eradication treatment (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the control and study groups regarding body height, body weight, and ALB levels (P > 0.05). Following 1 year of eradication treatment, Hb, SI, SF, 25-(OH)D3, and ALB levels showed no significant difference between the study and control groups (P > 0.05). However, a relevant contrast was noted in 25-(OH)D3 levels between the non-recurrence and recurrence groups after 1 year of eradication treatment (P < 0.05), with the former group having lower levels than the latter. Conclusions: Helicobacter pylori infection may impact Hb, SI, SF, and 25-(OH)D3 levels in children. Decreased 25-(OH)D3 may be a hazard for the recurrence of Hp infection.