Association among Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and vitamin D shortage, hemoglobin deficiency, dietary habits, and other variations in children aged 6 to 18 years: cross-sectional investigation at an Iraqi children's hospital

Background: Several studies have shown a correlation between Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) and vitamin D, but considerable disagreement exists. The goal of this study was to see if there was a relationship between vitamin D3 deficiency on the one hand, dietary habits on the other hand, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in kids patients in a hospital in Iraq. Methods: In 2022, a cross-sectional study was done on 1600 patients in a child hospital in Iraq. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and lifestyle variables, and a short food frequency questionnaire was used to determine dietary patterns (FFQ). After a blood sample from the vein was taken, the H. pylori status (positive vs. negative) was identified. The stool and blood samples were all collected and sent to the hematology, chemistry, and parasitology lab for examination. Logistical multivariable to determine the relationship between socio-demographic, lifestyle, nutritional, and other factors, regression used. With H.pylori infection, there are several health-related issues to consider. In this sample, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 62.8%. The multivariable analysis revealed that the risk of H. pylori infection was higher among those who did not follow healthy eating habits and whose parents were uneducated. The study found that Vit.D3 deficiency increased in girls more than in boys. H. pylori is associated with socio-demographic and clinical factors. More research is needed to determine the impact of diet on H. pylori risk. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Iraq, hemoglobin deficiency, dietary habits