RESUMEN
Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infection is a common bacterial infection in humans. Approximately half of the people throughout the world are infected by this gastric microbial pathogen. The outcome of H. pylori infection varies from gastritis to peptic ulcers, duodenal ulcers and gastric malignancies. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia, and the possible association between these two variables among children aged 2-12 years from Ardabil, Northwest Iran. In this analytical and cross-sectional study, we randomly selected 960 children that ranged in age from 2-12 years that referred to pediatric clinics in Ardabil during February, 2011 to February, 2012. Patients' blood and stool samples were collected to assess for H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia. H. pylori infection was evaluated by the Helicobacter pylori Stool Exam Antigen Test [HPAT]. To determine the presence of iron deficiency anemia, we measured patients' serum levels of Hemoglobin[Hb], Serum Iron[SI], Ferritin and Total Iron Binding Capacity[TIBC]. Data were analyzed by SPSS [version 18] software. Of the 960 participants, we detected H. pylori infection in 360 [37.5%] cases, 140 [38.9%] were males and 220 [61.1%] were females. Iron deficiency anemia was present in 80 [7.3%] cases. Of these, only 25 [6.9%] were positive for both H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia. This study confirmed a high prevalence of H. pylori infection among 2-12 year-old children. We observed a significant relationship between H. pylori infection and gender [p=0.001]. There was no significant association between H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia [p=0.278]