Helicobacter pylori eradication and change in markers of iron stores among non-iron-deficient children in El Paso, Texas: an etiologic intervention study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

We assessed whether Helicobacter pylori eradication was followed by changes in iron stores among non-iron-deficient children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Double-blind randomized intervention trial on 110 asymptomatic 3- to 10-year-olds with H pylori infection assigned to any of the following 4 arms: both quadruple eradication and iron supplementation, either quadruple sequential eradication or iron supplementation, or placebo only. Hemoglobin, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were measured at baseline and 8 months later to assess changes according to study arm, H pylori infection status at ≥45 days, and cytotoxin-associated gene product A status.

RESULTS:

Intent-to-treat (n = 110) and per-protocol (n = 90) analyses revealed no differences across study arms in changes of iron stores. However, we found that those who had their infection eradicated had a 3-fold increased average change from baseline serum ferritin compared with that of children who remained infected (P < 0.05). Eradication of infection by cytotoxin-associated gene product A negative strains was associated with a larger ferritin increase.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this double-blind randomized trial, the first among non-iron-deficient, asymptomatic H pylori-infected children living in the contiguous United States, we found no effect of H pylori eradication regarding changes in iron stores. However, those who had their infection eradicated at follow-up had a significantly larger increase in serum ferritin from baseline.

• Authors: Victor M Cardenas, Carmen A Prieto-Jimenez, Zuber D Mulla, Jose O Rivera, Delfina C Dominguez, David Y Graham, Melchor Ortiz
• Journal: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition (J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr) Vol. 52 Issue 3 Pg. 326-32 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1536-4801 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21336159 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Biomarkers
• Iron, Dietary
• Ferritins

Topics

• Anemia, Iron-Deficiency (blood, etiology)
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dietary Supplements
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Ferritins (blood)
• Helicobacter Infections (blood, complications, drug therapy)
• Helicobacter pylori (classification, drug effects)
• Humans
• Intention to Treat Analysis
• Iron, Dietary (pharmacology)
• Male
• Reference Values
• Species Specificity
• Treatment Outcome