Helicobacter Pylori and Iron Deficiency: Prevalence of Association and Effect of Therapy

• To compare the raise in hemoglobin level between baseline and eight weeks later in Fe-supplemented and HP-positive children treated for HP infection and Fe-supplemented HP-positive children not treated for HP. [ Time Frame: two years ]
  

• 1. To determine the prevalence of HP infection in children with IDA in Israel, 2. To compare the demographic, clinical and laboratory findings between children diagnosed with IDA with/without HP infection. [ Time Frame: 2 years ]
  

This is a prospective randomized control study which will be conducted at six large ambulatory pediatrics clinics from the Jerusalem district. All of the children diagnosed with IDA would be eligible to join the study after informed consent will be obtained. Ethics committee approval is obtained. Analysis of stool samples will be carried out by the HP Stool antigen EIA (HpSA, Premier Platinum HpSA, Meridian Diagnostics inc, Cincinnati, OH, USA). All children enrolled will be treated with standard Fe therapy. Children with positive HpSA will be randomized, controlled for age and clinic, to receive or not receive antibiotics treatment. Assessment of response to iron therapy will be done at eight weeks later. The prevalence of HP infection in children with diagnosed with IDA would be reported. Statistical analysis will compare the baseline data between HP-positive and -negative children and the response to Fe between the three study groups.