Effect of enteric parasitic infection on serum trace elements and nutritional status in upper Egyptian children

Abstract

Introduction:Enteric parasitic infections still the cause of major health problems among Egyptian children as they have great morbid effect on their physical and cognitive development. Malnutrition makes children more prone to micronutrient deficiency and subsequently more vulnerable to parasitic infection. The present study aimed to identify the effect of intestinal parasitism on micronutrient serum level and children nutritional status.Materials and Methods:A case control study was carried out on children from 1 to 6 years old who were attending the Assiut University Children Hospital outpatient clinic, after parasitological stool examination they were divided into Group 1 (G1, n: 60) positive with enteric parasite and Group 2 (G2, n: 60) age and sex matched and free of parasites. Anthropometric measurements were expressed as weight for age (WFA), height for age (HFA), and weight for height (WFH) parameters. Serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results:Intestinal parasitic infection rate was 55.7%; more commonly detected parasites were Giardia lamblia 28%, Cryptosporidium sp. 20%, and polyparasitism 18%. All children (G1 and G2) were underweight (WFA) while 63% of G1 were malnourished, either in the form of wasting (WFH) or stunting (HFA) or both aspects. Stunting and wasting were more dominant among children infected with G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium sp. and most of them were below 2 years old.Conclusions:Coincident decrease in serum Zn level and an increase of serum Cu was more prominent among G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium sp. patients. G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium sp. were found to be more associated with nonstandard children nutritional status beside to an altered micronutrient level.

Application of Peplau’s Theory Model to Overcome Intestinal Parasites and Anemia among Schoolchildren

“…Appropriate nutrition methodologies, with food protection and modification, along with community health actions directed at parasitic control and parental care, must be established. Consistent with these findings, [24] in their study of upper Egyptian children reported that 63% of infected children and 41% of non-infected children had malnutrition.…”

The Impact of Intestinal Parasitic Infections on the Health Status of Children: An Overview

“…A close relationship between IPIs and malnutrition has been reported especially among chronically infected children. 32 Intestinal parasitism may cause or aggravate malnutrition by their intense effects on intestinal digestion and absorption. Adult helminth worms residing in the small intestine interfere with their host nutrition and can induce damage to the intestinal mucosa that may reduce a person's ability to extract and absorb nutrient from food.…”

“…35 Alterations in the serum concentrations of these elements are commonly found in patients with IPIs, mainly G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium. 32 Their deficiency leads to suppressed immunity predisposing to infections which sequentially exacerbate the nutritional status. 36 Also, their decline stimulates the oxidative stress which is implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and in some parasitic infections.…”

Detection of Parasitic Infections in Children with Allergic Rhinitis Compared to Healthy Control in Upper Egypt

“…Parasitic infections have been reported in about 25% of the world's population. These infections are more prevalent in developing countries, especially in rural areas of tropical and subtropical regions (1,2). In Egypt, parasitic diseases represent a serious public health problem in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients with clinical and economic impacts.…”

“…The prevalence of parasitic infections among children is high, with levels reaching up to 50%. This high prevalence is mainly due to overcrowding and poor hygiene patterns that significantly contributed to the spread of parasitic infections (1)(2)(3).…”