| Summary: | Background:Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune bleeding disorder which occurs as a result of autoantibodies attachment to the platelets surface and subsequent destruction. Several organisms can mimic features of human antigens and induce autoantibody production. One of these organisms is Helicobacter pylori (HP).We purposed to assess the prevalence and relationship of H. pylori infection with ITP in a population of children.
Methods: One hundred six children younger than 18 years old were enrolled in this case-control study in which 42 children with ITP were in the case group and 64 healthy children were in the control group. Stool exam for detection of HP antigen were performed and the variables were compared between the 2 groups.
Results: Mean ± SD age of case and control group was 6.4±3.4 and 8.6±4.4 years old, respectively. H pylori stool antigen differ significantly between the case and the control groups (p<0.5).
Conclusion: Our results support the role of HP antigen in ITP of children. Given the endorsement of this relationship, recommended to be examined ITP-children patients for this infection. The exams are recommended to include UBT or Ag detection in stool and not measuring the level of Abs of HP in the blood because false positive and negative cases are high in the latter. Moreover, it would be difficult to differentiate an active/new infection from an infection that has happened in the past.
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