The impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anemia in pregnancy has different adverse effects on pregnancy outcome, andiron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common cause of anemia during pregnancy. Recent studieshave suggested an association between Helicobacter pylori and IDA during pregnancy.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of H. pylori infection on IDA in pregnancy.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a case–control study carried out at Al‑Yarmouk TeachingHospital between January 1 and August 1, 2016. The study included 100 pregnant women dividedinto two groups: control group with normal hemoglobin (Hb) and a study group with IDA. Both groupswere subjected to H. Pylori test.RESULTS: The mean Hb level of the patients was 9.4 ± 0.8 g/dl. Fifty cases had an Hblevel <11 g/dl and fifty cases with Hb ≥11 gm/dl. Thirty‑two percentage of the study group wereseropositive for anti‑H. pylori IgA compared to 4% of the control group, and this difference wasstatistically significant at P < 0.001.CONCLUSION: There was a positive correlation between IDA during pregnancy and H. pylori‑positivecases.