The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastro-oesophageal reflux in Iranian children

Alireza Abdollahi, A. Morteza, O. Khalilzadeh, A. Zandieh, M. Asgarshirazi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in children is controversial. Aim: To determine the role of H. pylori infection and GORD in children living in a region which is endemic for H. pylori infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 263 children aged 3-18 years, all of whom had symptoms of GORD and underwent upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy. H. pylori status was determined by conventional rapid urease test and Giemsa staining of antral and cardiac biopsies. Biopsies of the oesophagus and gastric mucosa were obtained from the lower oesophagus, the antrum and cardia according to standard protocol. Results: Of the 263 patients, 81 (31.5%) had GORD and 162 (61.5%) had gastritis. There were 59 H. pylori-infected patients (22.4%) and 204 were uninfected. H. pylori infection was detected in 52 (88.1%) of the antral and 10 (1.9%) of the cardiac biopsies. Three (5.1%) of the biopsies revealed infection of both antrum and cardia and in seven (11.8%) only the cardia was infected. The prevalence of H. pylori infection among patients with GORD (13/83, 15%) was significantly lower than in those without GORD (46/180, 26%) (OR 0.54, CI 0.27-0.93, p<0.05). The prevalence of H. pylori infection among those with gastritis (48/162, 30%) was significantly higher than in those without gastritis (11/101, 10.8%) (OR 3.44, CI 1.69-7.015, p<0.001). Conclusion: H. pylori infection might protect against GORD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)53-57
Number of pages5
JournalAnnals of tropical paediatrics
Volume31
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastro-oesophageal reflux in Iranian children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this