Helicobacter pyloriseropositivity associates with hyperglycemia, but not obesity in Danish children and adolescents

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the human stomach and may affect the inflammatory response, hormone production related to energy regulation, and gut microbiota composition. Previous studies have demonstrated an inverse correlation between H. pylori seropositivity and pediatric obesity. We hypothesized that we would find a similar relationship among Danish children and adolescents. We assessed H. pylori seroprevalence in 713 subjects from an obesity clinic cohort and 990 subjects from a population-based cohort, and its association with obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors. No association was found between H. pylori and body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS). H. pylori seropositivity was, however, associated with higher fasting blood glucose levels and the prevalence of hyperglycemia, suggesting that H. pylori may contribute to impaired glucose regulation in Danish children and adolescents.