PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN TYPE 1 DIABETIC CHILDREN REFERRING TO ISFAHAN ENDOCRINE & METABOLISM RESEARCH CENTER

Increased prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori (HP) infection is a common feature in diabetics, which is attributable to the presence of diverse predisposing factors. In this study, the prevalence of HP infection has been investigated in type 1 diabetic children. In a cross-sectional study, anti-HP antibody (IgG) was measured in 75 type 1 diabetics (aged 2-18 years) and the results were compared with 75 healthy children who were matched for age, sex and socio-economic status. In seropositive diabetic patients with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, gastroduodenoscopy was performed to establish the diagnosis. Sera were positive for anti-HP in 22.7% of diabetics versus 17.3% in controls (P>0.05). No significant difference was observable between seropositive and seronegative diabetic groups as regard to age, sex, age at onset of diabetes, number of outpatient visits during the last 6 months, HbAlc and insulin requirements. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more common in diabetics than the healthy controls; the prevalence of these symptoms, however, did not differ significantly between seropositive and seronegative diabetics. The study indicated that type 1 diabetes is not associated with increased risk of HP infection. Further studies are required to investigate the impact of HP infection treatment on the glycemic control in diabetic children.