Association between Helicobacter Pylori infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in school-aged children in Aswan

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection has been linked to the development of peptic ulcers, gastric cancer, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD became one of the most common liver diseases among children due to increased prevalence of pediatric obesity.Objectives: evaluating the effect of H. pylori infection on the liver (development of NAFLD).Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 95 school-aged children with dyspepsia from the pediatric department at Aswan University HospitalResults: According to the presence of H. Pylori antigen in the stool, 50.5% (48) of our cases had positive antigen. Abdominal ultrasound findings revealed that 5.3% had hepatomegaly with increased liver echogenicity, suggestive of possible fatty liver changes, while all examined children had smooth liver surfaces, ruling out advanced liver disease. Among our children, H. pylori-positive children showed a significantly higher prevalence of hepatomegaly (10.4% vs. 0%, p=0.023), epigastric tenderness (89.6% vs. 29.8%, p<0.001), and a higher mean age (9.07 ± 2.40 vs. 7.88 ± 2.62 years, p=0.023) compared to H. pylori-negative children. No significant differences were found regarding gender, residence, hematemesis, vomiting, or abdominal pain (p>0.05).Conclusion: H. pylori-positive children exhibited higher rates of epigastric tenderness, and hepatomegaly compared to H. pylori-negative peers