Skip to main page content
U.S. flag
See More

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2000 Nov;7(6):885-8.
doi: 10.1128/CDLI.7.6.885-888.2000.

High prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the Alaska native population and association with low serum ferritin levels in young adults

A J Parkinson  1 , B D Gold, L Bulkow, R B Wainwright, B Swaminathan, B Khanna, K M Petersen, M A Fitzgerald
Affiliations

High prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the Alaska native population and association with low serum ferritin levels in young adults

A J Parkinson et al. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2000 Nov.

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is a common public health problem in the Alaska Native population. Yet, a clear etiology has eluded researchers for decades. Previous studies suggested a link between Helicobacter pylori infection, gastrointestinal blood loss due to hemorrhagic gastritis, and generalized iron deficiency anemia in adult Alaska Natives. Therefore, we examined the association between the prevalence of H. pylori-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum ferritin levels, a marker of iron deficiency. A random sample of 2,080 serum samples from Alaska Native residents drawn between 1980 and 1986 from residents in 13 regions was selected, and the samples were stratified by age, sex, and region. Overall, 75% were positive for H. pylori-specific IgG. The rate of H. pylori seropositivity increased with age; by age 14 years, 78% of the residents were positive. There were no gender differences in H. pylori seropositivity. However, marked regional differences were observed. Serum ferritin levels of <12 ng/ml were found most commonly among persons <20 years of age and among women of childbearing age. A significant association between low serum ferritin levels and prevalence of H. pylori-specific IgG was found, particularly for people aged less than 20 years. H. pylori may be a factor contributing to the iron deficiency anemia in the Alaska Native population.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
Rates of H. pylori infection among Alaska Natives by age and sex, 1980 to 1986.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
Percentage of Alaska Natives with low serum ferritin levels (<12 ng/ml), by age, gender, and presence of H. pylori-specific IgG.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Blaser M. Hypothesis on the pathogenesis and natural history of Helicobacter pylori-induced inflammation. Gastroenterology. 1992;102:720–727. - PubMed
    1. Burks J M, Siimes M A, Mentzer W C, Dallman P R. Iron deficiency in an Eskimo village. J Pediatr. 1976;88:224–228. - PubMed
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among Alaska Native children. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1988;37:200–202. - PubMed
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations to prevent and control iron deficiency in the United States. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1988;47(RR-3):1–36. - PubMed
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Iron deficiency anemia in Alaska Native children—Hooper Bay, Alaska 1999. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1999;48:714–716. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms