Yasin Maruf ERGEN, Selçuk TEKE
Gulhane Medical Journal - 2026;68(2):109-117
Aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a frequent chronic condition in childhood, and determining whether it provokes a systemic inflammatory imprint is clinically relevant. This study aimed to evaluate whether pediatric H. pylori infection was associated with alterations in complete blood count (CBC)-derived inflammatory indices, particularly the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR). Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included children aged 6-18 years who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms and had histopathological confirmation of H. pylori infection. Pre-procedural CBC and serum albumin levels were recorded, and CBC-derived inflammatory indices (such as the PLR and the MPVLR) were calculated. The primary endpoint was the association between H. pylori positivity and these inflammatory indices. Results: A total of 453 children were included, of whom 171 were H. pylori positive and 282 were H. pylori negative [median age 13.4 years (interquartile range 10.8-15.7); predominantly female (65.6%)]. Children with H. pylori infection had significantly higher PLR (127.45 vs. 113.50; p<0.001) and MPVLR (4.45 vs. 4.02; p<0.001) values compared with controls. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts were lower in the positive group (p<0.01 for all), while no meaningful differences were observed in other composite indices. Conclusions: Pediatric H. pylori infection is associated with a measurable, low-grade systemic inflammatory response, as reflected by elevated PLR and MPVLR values.
