Background: Both iron deficiency anaemia and Helicobacter pylori infection
are rare in developed countries. A possible connection has been suggested b
etween these two diseases and our aim was to define the clinical picture an
d to study the effect of bacterial eradication in H. pylori colonized child
ren with severe anaemia. Methods: Eight children with iron deficiency anaem
ia refractory to iron supplementation were examined with gastroscopy becaus
e of suspicion of H. pylori infection. Anaemia was treated with oral ferrou
s sulphate. Two patients needed blood transfusions. Eradication therapy was
given either with combination of colloidal bismuth subcitrate and metronid
azole or with omsprazole, clarithromycin and amoxycillin. Eradication was c
onfirmed by urea breath test 4 weeks post-treatment. Results: H. pylori inf
ection was confirmed histologically and microbiologically in ail children,
who also presented with chronic, active gastritis. Bacteria were successful
ly eradicated in 7/8 patients. Correction of haemoglobin values was observe
d post-treatment, iron stores still being deficient at control in 4/8 child
ren. Conclusions: Our results suggest that H. pylori might have a role in c
ausing iron deficiency anaemia in school-age children. Screening for H. pyl
ori should be extended to cover those patients with other clinical manifest
ations than symptoms from gastrointestinal tract.