This study assessed the diagnostic approaches of Helicobacter pylori (HP)-associated iron deficiency (ID) and anemia (IDA) in children with dyspeptic symptoms and evaluated the effects of simultaneous anti-H. pylori (anti-HP) therapy and oral iron in comparison with each of anti- HP therapy and oral iron therapy alone, on iron status as assessed by serum soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) level. Two hundreds children with dyspeptic symptoms were subjected to clinical evaluation, stool examination, CBC, biochemical assays for serum iron parameters and measurements of serum IgG antibodies to HP and serum sTfR level by ELISA. Sixty children were found to have HPassociated ID or IDA and were randomly divided into 3 groups (20 children each). GA received 2-week anti-HP therapy plus 90-day oral iron, and GB received 2-week anti-HP therapy alone whereas group C received 90-day oral iron alone. Re-evaluation of the 3 groups was performed after 3 months of treatment initiation by repeat CBC and serum sTfR level. Children (45%) were HP-seropositive. The mean values of serum sTfR were significantly higher in HP-positive group and in HP-positive children with IDA than in HP-negative group and in HP-negative children with IDA although no significant differences were noted in hematologic variables and iron parameters between the corresponding groups and children. As regard treatment groups, there were significant improvements in the mean values of indices of IDA status (Hb, MCH, MCV, sTfR) and ID status (sTfR) at 3 months of treatment initiation compared with their baseline values after anti-HP triple therapy either with oral iron or without oral iron whereas the control children who were treated with oral iron alone showed insignificant changes
despite oral iron administration. The improvements in these parameters were significantly greater in groups of children who received anti-HP therapy either combined with iron or alone when compared with those who did not receive anti-HP therapy. Their magnitudes were significantly higher among children receiving anti-HP therapy combined with oral iron when compared with that receiving anti-HP therapy alone.