Association between Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Malnutrition in Children Under Five Years

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori are particularly common in childhood and infects more than half the world’s population. It’s a gram-negative, spiralshaped bacterium that colonizes the stomach of humans. Although many infections are asymptomatic, it can cause gastritis, ulcers and gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori, is strongly associated with malnutrition. Thissets up a cycle: Malnutrition reduces immunity, increasing vulnerability to infection, while infection exacerbates malnutrition. This association is critical to improving child health in at-risk communities.

Objective: this study aimed to investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and the severity of malnutrition in children under five years old.

Methods: The utility of Helicobacter pylori antibodies were detected by using ELISA kits

Results: This study involved 100 kids with malnutrition below the age of 5. The results revealed a 45% occurrence of infection with Helicobacter pylori among children. The data also revealed a substantial link between the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and the level of malnutrition, resulting in kids with severe malnutrition becoming more at risk of infection. There were no significant variations in infection rates across genders or ages in the study group. Additionally, laboratory analyses revealed that infected children had lower nutritional indicators, such as weight and height, compared to non-infected children

Conclusion: This study found a significant frequency of infection with Helicobacter pylori in malnourished kids below the age of five, particularly among males aged 13 to 24 months. Marasmus was the most frequent kind of malnutrition, with severe instances prevailing. The findings emphasize the need of early of Helicobacter pylori in children.