Paediatric Helicobacter pylori infection and allergic and inflammatory diseases: a contemporary systematic review with meta-analysis.

What was studied

This review asked if H. pylori infection in children links to allergy and immune disease. Some think it may protect against such diseases. The review screened articles from the past 12 years. It checked bias with a standard tool. 14 articles were on asthma. 10 were on celiac disease. 5 were on eosinophilic esophagitis. 7 were on inflammatory bowel disease. 8 covered mixed conditions.

What they found

For asthma, infection showed no clear link overall. The odds ratio was 0.75. The range was 0.54 to 1.05. Studies using UBT or SAT tests showed an inverse link. Studies based on histology showed no link. Low-bias studies also showed no link. Results for celiac disease and bowel disease were mixed. No clear trend showed for other conditions.

What it means for patients

The authors say child data show no clear overall link between H. pylori and asthma. They say inverse links appeared only in certain subgroups. They say evidence for other immune diseases is inconsistent. They say studies that follow children over time are needed.

Why it is not certain yet

Studies were inconsistent. Data varied a lot for asthma. Inverse links appeared only in some test and bias groups. A link does not show cause.

Source

Paediatric Helicobacter pylori infection and allergic and inflammatory diseases: a contemporary systematic review with meta-analysis.

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