Helicobacter pylori colonization is inversely associated with childhood asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Asthma, a serious health problem worldwide, is becoming more common. Colonization with Helicobacter pylori, a major human indigenous (commensal) microbe, during early life may be relevant to the risk of childhood asthma.

Methods

We conducted cross-sectional analyses, using data from 7412 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000, to assess the association between H. pylori and childhood asthma.

Results

H. pylori seropositivity was inversely associated with onset of asthma before 5 years of age and current asthma in children aged 3-13 years. Among participants 3-19 years of age, the presence of H. pylori was inversely related to ever having had asthma (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45-1.0

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3902975 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature