Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and cirrhosis in children

Introduction
Liver cirrhosis is often accompanied by fibrosis, loss of liver function, and liver cancer. Identification of the factors associated with this disease has always been a goal because they can be effective in its treatment. Several reports showed that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can cause multiple gastrointestinal complications.

Aim of the research
To investigate the association between H. pylori infection and liver cirrhosis in children.

Material and methods
In this case-control study, 60 children under the age of 18 years with liver cirrhosis participated as the cases, and 236 healthy children were included as controls. For evaluation of the H. pylori antigen (Ag) of the samples, fresh stool samples were prepared.

Results
Thirty-two (53.3%) samples in the cases, and 46 (19.5%) samples in controls had positive H. pylori Ag test. The results showed that the two groups had significant differences in terms of infection by H. pylori stool antigen; the presence of this Ag in the case samples was more than in the controls (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
That the rate of H. pylori infection in children with cirrhosis was significantly higher than among healthy children. This result can indicate the effect of this bacterium on the incidence and development of liver cirrhosis.