Helicobacter Pylori Infection Among Children

Helicobacter pylori is known to be an etiological agent of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. It is acquired early in the developing countries.Poor socioeconomic conditions such as overcrowding and lack of sanitary facilities at home are important risk factors for contracting the infection.Some investigators have recently described an association between IDDM patients and H. pylori infection.This Study aims to assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection among children and adolescents with IDDM and its effect in glycemic control of these patients.Fifty children (23 males and 27 female) with IDDM (ages ranging between 2-16 years) and 25 children as control groups referred to the Diabetic in patient and out patient clinic of Zagazig University Hospital were assayed for the presence of:• Helicobacter pylori antibodies (IgG) measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent microassayed test (ELISA).• Gylycosylated hemoglobin (Hb A1C).• From the statistical analysis of the data collected the following results were obtained:High prevalence of H pylori IgG +ve among IDDM patient (86%).Increased insulin requirement among diabetic children with IgG +ve antibodies. The mean insulin requirement among IgG +ve antibody is higher than IgG –ve (P<0.05).Also H. pylori IgG antibodies titre were significantly higher in poor glycemic control than in moderate or good control (P< 0.001).A statistically significant positive correlation was found between H. pylori IgG positive antibody and the age of the patients (P < 0.05).There is statistical significant difference between H. pylori IgG +ve antibodies and duration of illness of diabetes as the duration > 5y leads to increased acquiring IgG antibodies.A statistically significant correlation between H. pylori IgG +ve antibody and low socioeconomic status was found (P < 0.05).There were no statistically significant differences between males and females regarding antibodies positivity.No statistical significant differences between IgG +ve antibodies and growth parameters (P > 0.05.)No statistically significant correlations were found between recurrent diarrhea and recurrent abdominal pain and H. pylori IgG +ve antibody ( P > 0.05).So, we conclude that H.pylori seropositivity in diabetic patients is related to duration of disease, degree of diabetes control and to socioeconomic level of the patients. Also, H.pylori -ve cases consume more insulin daily requirement for better glycemic control of H.pylori +ve cases.