Helicobacter pylori and anemia with pregnancy

Subjects and methods Study was conducted in Ain Shams University hospitals on 100 pregnant women with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA), including 50 cases infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and 50 cases negative for H. pylori infection. Cases with symptomatic gastritis or hyperemesis gravidarum were not included in the study, obstetric history, sociodemographic and dietary variables were also assessed. Hemoglobin level, serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), H. pylori serum antibody, stool analysis to exclude parasitic infection causing IDA, occult blood in stool and ultrasound for the fetus to ensure its cardiac pulsations and to exclude any associated abnormality were all done for all patients. Iron therapy in a fixed dose was given to all patients for 1 month. Response was estimated and statistical comparison was done between both groups. Eradication of H. pylori was done in positive cases by triple therapy in the second trimester and iron therapy was given after treatment in the same dose for another month. Their response to treatment after eradication was compared to their response to iron therapy prior to H. pylori eradication.