srjmdSRJMDSRJMD2788-946710.47310/srjmd.2024.v04.i02.005Impact of Helicobacter pylori Infection on Hematological Parameters and Anemia Severity in Pregnant Women with Iron Deficiency AnemiaHusamFalahHasanLavaKareemNajimNoorFikratGhazyM.B.Ch.B. HDH. (Clinical Hematology), Kirkuk Health Department, Kirkuk Oncology and Hematology Center.M.B.Ch. B/MSc/ Hematopathology, Kirkuk Health Directorate, Kirkuk Oncology and Hematology Center.M. B.CH.HD. GO, Kirkuk Health Directorate, Kirkuk Teaching Hospital, Kirkuk, IraqBackground: During pregnancy, anemia poses significant risks, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased maternal morbidity. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is particularly concerning due to its impact on both maternal and fetal health. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been implicated in various pregnancy-related complications, including IDA, through mechanisms involving nutrient depletion, inflammation, and immune modulation. Aim: The study aims to evaluate the relationship between H. pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Kirkuk city from December 2023 to March 2024, including 100 pregnant women (50 with IDA and 50 healthy controls). Women aged 14-41 years were recruited from Gynecological and Pediatric Hospital. Exclusion criteria included hereditary anemia, inflammation, liver and kidney disease, malignancy, and autoimmune diseases. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count (CBC), serum ferritin, iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and H. pylori seropositivity. Results: The study showed significant differences were found in hematological parameters, with the IDA group showing lower mean serum ferritin (12.47±2.11 μg/l vs. 20.32±3.89 μg/l, P=0.002), serum iron (9.87±2.92 μg/dl vs. 14.75±3.67 μg/dl, P=0.003), and hemoglobin levels (8.9±0.7 gm/dl vs. 11.8±0.9 gm/dl, P=0.001), and higher TIBC (102.5±28.4 μg/l vs. 68.7±15.9 μg/l, P=0.001) compared to controls. H. pylori seropositivity was found in 32% of anemic women, with none in the control group. H. pylori positive women had higher serum ferritin (15.32±2.45 μg/l vs. 10.87±2.97 μg/l, P=0.015) and serum iron levels (12.45±3.22 μg/dl vs. 9.23±2.81 μg/dl, P=0.022) but showed lower Red Blood Cell (RBC) counts (3.8±0.5 ×10⁶/μL vs. 4.2±0.6 ×10⁶/μL, P=0.032), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) (76.2±5.4 fl vs. 82.4±6.1 fl, P=0.029), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) (24.1±2.7 pg vs. 27.8±3.2 pg, P=0.041), and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) (31.9±1.5 g/dl vs. 33.4±1.8 g/dl, P=0.034). Additionally, nutritional status indicators like serum Vitamin B12 (240.5±30.2 pg/ml vs. 280.7±35.8 pg/ml, P=0.038) and folate levels (4.2±1.3 ng/ml vs. 5.6±1.7 ng/ml, P=0.041) were significantly lower in H. pylori positive women. Conclusion: H. pylori infection is associated with altered hematological and nutritional parameters in pregnant women with IDA, potentially exacerbating anemia severity. These findings underscore the importance of screening and managing H. pylori infection in pregnant women with IDA to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.