Effect of Helicobacter Pylori on iron deficiency anemia

Aim: In children, although the most common causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) are malnutrition, not consuming foods with iron, and parasitic infection, its relations with Helicobacter Pylori (HP) infection has not been clarified yet. For this reason, our purpose was to investigate the relations between HP infection and IDA in our study. Material and Methods: A total of 111 patients, who were admitted to our Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic due to recurrent abdominal pain and dyspeptic complaints, and whose gastric tissue biopsies were performed with upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy, were included in the study. The cases were divided into two groups as HP positive and HP negative. Both groups were compared in terms of hemoglobin, ferritin, serum iron, and total iron-binding capacity. Results: 58% of the cases included in the study were HP (+), and 42% were HP (-);69% of them were females, and 31% were males. The mean age of HP (+) cases was 14.5 years, and the mean age of HP (-) cases was 15 years; no statistically significant differences were detected in this respect. No significant differences were detected between hemoglobin, iron, total iron-binding capacity, and ferritin levels between HP (+) and HP (-) cases. Discussion: The presence of HP has no effects on iron deficiency anemia.