Sickle-cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder characterized by red blood cells that assume an
abnormal, r;gid, sickle shape. Children with SCD are at an increased risk for certain bacterial infections.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is usually acquired during childhood and manifested by
recurrent abdominal pain. Tin prevalence of H. pylori infection in SCD is unknown, but patients may be
at increased risk for H. pylori-induced Peptic ulcer disease and complications due to pre-existing anemia
and increased non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use. Objectives: The aim of this study is to detect the
association between H. pylori infection and recurrent abdominal pain in SCD patients. Subjects and
Methods: This case —cottrol study was undertaken for 24 SCD patients and 24 non-SCD patients
attending the internal medicine ouspatient clinics and complaining from dyspepsia with/ or without
recurrent abdominal pain. Each sample is tested for detection of H. pylori stool antigen using H. pylori
Device. Infection was also diagnosed by using the "C-urea breath test Results: The rate of H. pylori
infection in SCD patients is 79.2 % compared to 54.2% in non SCD patients. There is statistically
significant relation between H. pylon infection and recurrent abdominal pain among SCD patients. |
