Giardia intestinalis and nutritional status in children participating in the complementary nutrition program, Antioquia, Colombia, May to October 2006

Abstract

SUMMARYGiardia intestinalis infection is prevalent throughout the world and widely distributed in developing countries. In general, children display serious consequences to their state of health, including slow height-weight development; therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine the association between Giardia infection and the nutritional status of children who participate in the program of complementary feeding (Mejoramiento Alimentario y Nutricional de Antioquia (MANA) -Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF)). A cross-sectional study examining the association of giardiasis with nutritional status was conducted. A total of 2035 children aged eight months to six years-old were studied. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis of blood and stool samples. Analysis of the results showed that 27.6% of children were infected with G. intestinalis, while 8.1% and 1.9% were mildly and significantly underweight, respectively, and 14.1% presented stunting. Giardiasis was statistically identified as a strong predictor of stunting in this study population.

Giardia intestinalis infection associated with malnutrition in children living in northeastern Brazil

“…In Rwanda, G. intestinalis infection was identified as a predictor of being underweight and severe malnutrition [30]. Similarly, giardiasis was also a strong predictor of low HAZ in Colombia and Iran, and has also been shown to be significantly associated with lower body weight, serum zinc levels, and serum iron levels in Egypt [11,13,34]. Thus, giardiasis is perhaps currently the most harmful intestinal parasitosis to the physical development of children in endemic areas with poor sanitation conditions.…”

“…Giardiasis has been associated with protein-energy malnutrition, micronutrient deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, and growth failure [10][11][12]; it is one of the most harmful intestinal parasitosis to the physical development of children [10,[13][14][15].…”

Invited Commentary on Growth and Development in Children with Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections

“…Furthermore, infection with Strongyloides stercoralis by 30 months of age was associated with lower head circumference measures at this age [7]. When examining GI parasitic infections, as a group versus species-specific infections, parasitized children were found to have lower growth measures for height, weight, and upper arm circumference compared to noninfected children [17]. Also, coinfections with STH in this young age group have been associated with greater impairment in linear growth compared to children with a single species infection and noninfected children [7].…”

“…Infections with STHs, namely Ascaris lumbricoides [20] or Trichuris trichiura [21] as well as coinfections with both species, have been frequently associated with growth deficits and stunting in the school age population [3•]. The chronic nature of Trichuris trichiura has been implicated in the degree of growth deficit [17] during childhood.…”

Epidemiologia das parasitoses intestinais e caracterização genotípica de isolados de Giardia duodenalis de escolares do município de Pratânia, estado de São Paulo

“…Diante disso, a Organização Mundial da Levantamentos epidemiológicos recentes demonstram que,em crianças de países em desenvolvimento, as infecções por parasitas intestinais ainda são responsáveis por elevadas taxas de prevalência 5,6,7,8,9,10,11 . Segundo o Fundo das Nações Unidas para a Infância 12 , as taxas de infecção parasitária em crianças podem representar um importante indicativo das condições higiênico-sanitárias da comunidade em que vivem.…”