Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and serum ferritin level in primary school children of Tehran-Iran.

OBJECTIVE To determine the relationship between serum Ferritin levels and Helicobacter pylori antibody titer (IgG) in primary school children with H.pylori infection. METHODS This cross-sectional study was performed among 6-12 year old healthy primary schoolchildren in Tehran during the academic year 2005-2006. Specimen collection was done by cluster and randomization methods (multistage sampling) Personal information and laboratory results were compiled in questionnaires and data was analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics via SPSSv.15 software. RESULTS One thousand six hundred sixty five primary school children (43% boys, 57% girls) with mean age 9.2 +/- 1.5 years were enrolled into the study. H.pylori IgG antibody titer was positive in 26% (432 cases) with mean values of 0.79 +/- 0.42 ISR units in boys and 0.75 +/- 0.39 ISR units in girls, which showed a significant statistical difference (P = 0.004). H.pylori infection was more common among children of large families or those with low economic status (P = 0.002). Twenty nine percent of children (477 cases)had low serum Ferritin levels, which was significantly higher among boys (P > 0.05); 32 82 +/- 33.12 mg/dL in boys and 43.23 +/- 2.5 mg/dL in girls. Out of the children with low serum Ferritin levels, 71% (334 cases) had negative and 28% (132 patients) had positive H.pylori antibody titers (IgG levels). Also, 296 children (25%) with normal Ferritin levels had H.pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS We did not find a significant relationship between H.pylori infection and low serum Ferritin or iron deficiency anaemia.