Is Helicobacter pylori Infection a Driver in Pregnancy Related
Disorders: A Review
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is a successful pathogen, infecting approximately
60% of the world’s population (1). It causes numerous gastrointestinal
conditions, and was named a class I carcinogen by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) in 1994 (2). This paper reviews studies assessing the
impact of H. pylori on pregnancy related disorders such as Hyperemesis
Gravidarum, Iron deficiency anaemia and fetal growth restriction and
examines the proposed pathogenic mechanisms by which H. pylori is
thought to cause these pregnancy related disorders through the use of
virulence factors and specialisms it possesses.