An increased prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in children with type I diabetes mellitus have been reported in a few studies. Helicobacter pylori infection may be one of the causes of gastrointestinal symptoms and chronic atrophic gastritis frequently seen in diabetes of long duration. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Hp infection and its relationship with glycemic control and duration of diabetes in children with poorly controlled type I diabetes mellitus. Helicobacter pylori was investigated using the C13- urea breath test in 19 diabetics and 26 healthy controls. C13-urea breath test was positive in 68.6% (13/19) of diabetics and 38.4% (10/26) of controls (p<0.05). Diabetic children were divided into two groups according to Hp status: Hp (+) and Hp (-). The two groups were compared for age, gender, body for weight and height, duration of diabetes and glycemic control (HbA1c). Duration of diabetes was significantly longer in the Hp (+) group than in the Hp (-) group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups for glycemic control (p>0.05). In our study, prevalence of Hp infection was significantly higher in poorly controlled diabetic children than in healthy controls. Poor glycemic control and duration of diabetes are the important causes of increased rate of Hp infection in diabetic children.

Keywords: Helikobakter pilori, diyabetes mellitus, çocuklar, C13-üre nefes test, Helicobacter pylori, diabetes mellitus, children, C13-urea breath test