Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in children with constitutional height retardation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and constitutional height retardation in childhood. METHODS: Forty-one children with a diagnosis of constitutional height retardation and 40 children with normal growth patterns attending to the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic at Ankara Education and Research Hospital were invited to take part in this study. Each child was asked questions to identify whether they had abdominal pain or lack of appetite. In addition, the family members were also investigated for gastrointestinal complaints. Helicobacter pylori antibody levels were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: The patient group's anti-Helicobacter pylori Ig G and anti-Helicobacter pylori CagA Ig G positivities were 78% and 85.4%, respectively. Corresponding frequencies in the control group were 10% and 15%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in the constitutional height-retarded group was significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.001). These results support the hypothesis suggesting that Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the environmental factors affecting growth.