Holotranscobalamin Levels in Children with Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between vitamin B-12 levels and Helicobacter Pylori infection and to examine the clinical usefulness of holotranscobalamin (holoTC) measurement in children. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients between 6 and 15 years of age, who were diagnosed as H. pylori infected by C-14 urea breath test, and 26 controls were enrolled in the study. Tests for complete blood count, serum vitamin B-12 and folate, plasma total homocysteine, and holoTC levels were performed in each patient in the study and control groups. Results: Mean plasma holoTC concentrations were significantly lower in children with H. pylori infection before treatment (median 23.7 pmol/L (12.9-37.1 pmol/L)) versus after treatment (median 38.2 pmol/L (21.261.4 pmol/L)) and controls (median 36.1 pmol/L (12.6-58.7 pmol/L)). Conclusions: The findings of our study suggest that H. pylori infection has a reversible negative effect on vitamin B-12 status reflected in a decreased level of plasma holoTC that normalizes upon treatment of the infection, while no change is observed in total plasma vitamin B-12.