Inferring Association of Celiac Disease and Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Children from Rawalpindi, Pakistan: a Single-Center Experience

Objective: To assess the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and gluten-sensitive enteropathy, commonly known as Celiac disease in children. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2020 to Feb 2021. Methodology: A total of 94 participants in the age range of 3–13 years were randomly distributed in Group–A (Coeliac Disease Patients) and n Group–B (Non-Coeliac Disease Patients). Frequency of Helicobacter pylori in children with Celiac disease versus non-celiac disease correlated. Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA antibody assay (tTG levels >18 U/mL) and Helicobacter pylori prevalence were recorded. Results: In Group A and Group B the mean age was 6.43±2.48 (3-13years) and 5.5±1.6 (6–9 years) respectively, with the male preponderance of 54(57.4%) compared to 40(42.6%) in females. Celiac disease patients with Helicobacter pylori infection were only 8(14.3%), with 4(7.1%) being males and 4(7.1%) being females. Level of tissue transglutaminase (tTG) IgA antibody was less than 10 in controls. Conclusion: In conclusion, Helicobacter pylori infection was recorded to be lower in pediatric patients who presented with celiac disease hence proved to have an inversely proportional relationship.