Helicobacter pylori Related Health Problems in Children

Helicobacter pylori infection is the most frequently seen infection worldwide. It is the most widely seen agent of gastrointestinal disease, primarily gastric disease. It causes also a wide spectrum of extra-gastrointestinal disorders. Cancer, lym-phoma, cardiovascular disease, dermatological disease , liver and gallbladder diseases, anemia, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disease, atopy, asthma, neurological disease, growth, failure to thrive, bone disease, and micronutrient deficiency could be associated with H. pylori infection, as has been suggested in literature, especially in the adults (1). As a result of the interaction of H. pylori in the place it directly settles in the stomach with the organism , it leads to diseases apart from in the gas-tro-intestinal system by a series of hormonal, im-munological, cytokine and chemokine mediators. Although H. pylori infection is mainly acquired in childhood, complications generally arise much later. Therefore, pediatricians may not be aware of such situations. The aim of this study was to update our knowledge with a review of literature on H. pylori infection and related events. This review was prepared by examining the relationship between H. pylori infection and related conditions in publications from the last decade pertaining to childhood. H. pylori is the most common cause of gastritis which develops in all people infected with the bacteria (2). It is responsible for 95% of duodenal ulcer etiology and for 70-85% of stomach ulcer etiology (3). MALT (Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue) is a lymphoid tissue tumor associated with the mucosa and H. pylori plays a significant role in the pathogenesis. After eradication of the microorganism , a remission rate of 60-70% is seen in MALT lymphoma (4). H. pylori has a possible association with several gastro-intestinal system diseases such as non-ulcer dyspepsia, lymphocytic gastritis, Menetrier disease, protein-losing enteropathy and gastro-oesophageal reflux (5). Several studies have proven a strong relationship between iron deficiency anaemia and iron deficiency with H. pylori infection in children (1). How the bacteria lead to iron deficiency is not fully understood but various mechanisms have been suggested. One is the loss of iron in gastro-intestinal bleeding related to H. pylori. Chronic gastro-intestinal bleeding is not responsible (6). Another explanation of the mechanism is that H. pylori leads to hypochlorhydria with a negative effect on iron absorption. Ascorbic acid has a significant effect on the increase of iron absorption (7). Another mechanism which has been suggested is that reduced ascorbic acid secretion of H. pylori reduces iron absorption. …