Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common health problem in Egypt; it has a substantial effect on the lives of children. H. Pylori can cause IDA by increasing iron loss, reducing iron absorption; also iron consumption by the bacterium may have a role. Aim: Assessment of the prevalence of H.pylori among children with iron deficiency anemia. Method: This is a cross sectional study enrolled 100 children attending the pediatric clinic in Suez Canal University Hospital after obtaining informed consent, the enrolled children were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included children with IDA confirmed throughout laboratory investigations (CBC, serum iron, ferritin), group 2 were normal healthy control. Children in both groups were subjected to detailed history, clinical examination and H. pylori stool antigen. Results: In the study group there were 25 females and 25 males; mean age 8.2±5.1 year and 44% live in rural areas; the control consisted of 28 females and 22 males; mean age 7.9±2.9, 34% have rural residency.  H. pylori infection was confirmed in 22% of patients with IDA and 4% of the control (P-value 0.007). Children with IDA who were positive for H.pylori had significantly lower hemoglobin and MCV (10.27±1.14, 70.93±8.5) respectively than those who were negative (11.0.2±1.4, 76.98±8.3) P-value 0.0001. Serum ferritin was significantly lower in the infected than non-infected (21.05±14.3, 24.15±19.78) respectively P-value 0.0001. Conclusion: H.pylori is prevalent among Egyptian children with iron deficiency anemia, and should be considered as an underlying cause and during treatment.

HELICOBACTER PYLORI IS PREVALENT AMONG EGYPTIAN CHILDREN WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA