Long-term effects of clearing Helicobacter pylori on growth in school-age children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A new Helicobacter pylori infection affects growth velocity negatively, and clearing the infection produces a small significant rebound, but it is not known whether height and weight in children are impacted over the long term.

Methods

We investigated 295 school-age children followed in 2 cohorts, treated (150) and untreated (145), from 2004 for 3.7 years with 1105 child-years of observation. Follow-up intervals were 3 months for anthropometry measurements and 6 months for H. pylori status ascertained by urea breath test. Height in centimeters and weight in kilograms were analyzed using growth models.

Results

A multivariate mixed model that adjusted for age, sex, father's education, and number of siblings found no significant differences in height or weight

SUBMITTER: Mera RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3415984 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature