Helicobacter pylori infection, iron absorption, and gastric acid secretion in Bangladeshi children

Background Nonheme-iron absorption requires an acidic milieu. Reduced gastric acid output as a consequence of Helicobacter pylori infection could be an important limiting factor for iron absorption. Objective We measured gastric acid output and iron absorption from a non-water-soluble iron compound (ferrous fumarate) and a water-soluble iron compound (ferrous sulfate) in children with and without H. pylori infection. Design Gastric acid output was quantified before (basal acid output, or BAO) and after pentagastrin stimulation (stimulated acid output, or SAO) in 2-5-y-old children with iron deficiency anemia who were (n = 13) or were not (n = 12) infected with H. pylori. Iron absorption was measured by using a double-stable-isotope technique. H. pylori-infected children were studied before and after eradication therapy.…