Prevalence and risk factors of anemia among adolescents in Denizli, Turkey

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of anemia among adolescents in Denizli where Mediterranean cuisine [fresh fruit and vegetables] is adopted. We accepted hemoglobin values below 12 g/dl for girls and 13 g/dl for boys as the criteria of anemia. We recorded a detailed history including nutritional habits, consumption of animal source foods especially red meat, consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, presence of parasitic infestation, psychosocial status, school success and any materials consumed except ordinary food. We investigated the prevalence of anemia in 1120 children [672 girls and 448 boys], aged 12 to 16 years. We found that the overall prevalence of anemia was 5.6%. 8.3% of the girls and 1.6% of the boys were anemic. We diagnosed iron deficiency anemia in 37[59%] anemic patients and combined iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia in 26 [41%] anemic patients. None of the patients had folic acid deficiency. Our results suggest that the socioeconomic status of the family, traditional eating habits of the region, the fear of gaining weight and irregular eating habits are of great importance in the development of adolescent anemia in Denizli

frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in beta Thalassemia major patients with recurrent abdominal pain

To determine the frequency of Helicobacter Pylori [HP] seroprevalence and infection in beta Thalassemia major[TM] patients and to compare between beta TM patients and controls both presenting with recurrent abdominal pain [RAP]. The study group included 62 TM and 41 healthy controls with RAP. Serum samples were examined for anti-HP antibody using an HPIgG ELISA. Urea-breath test was applied to patients with positive HPIgG by using [14]C. In 36 of TM patients [58.1%] and 20 of healthy children [48.8%] HPIgG [+] was stated. In terms of HPIgG frequency, no difference was found between TM and control groups [p=0.354]. The Urea-breath test given to the TM patients and healthy children with HPIgG [+], test in 30 TM patient [48.4%] and 16 healthy children [39%] the Urea-breath test was found to be positive [p=0.34]. With Urea-breath test of TM patients, statistically a significant relationships were found between ALT level, epigastric pain, periumbilical pain, splenectomy and age [respectively p=0.02, p=0.03, p=0.00, p=0.01]. Helicobacter Pylori in our developing country may be one of the causes of RAP in TM patients as well as healthy children