Parasitic Infestation in the Incidence of Diarrhea Among Toddlers in Jakarta, Bogor, Banjarmasin and Makassar

Abstract

The occurrence of diarrhea in children under five years old (toddlers) is still a serious health problem because it can cause mortality and malnutrition in children. Diarrhea is one of the biggest causes of death in toddlers in the world. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 10 million children under five years old die every year and around 20 percent of them die because of diarrhea. One etiology of diarrhea infection in children under five years old who often escapes attention is diarrhea caused by parasites. As a developing and tropical country, the incidence of diarrhea due to parasitic infections in Indonesia is quite high. Examination of diarrhea samples in children under five years old to identify the type of parasites that play a role in the incidence of diarrhea. Stool samples were collected from patients seeking treatment at several primary health care and hospitals in Jakarta, Banjarmasin and Makassar during 2015-2016. The stool specimens were collected in containers containing formaldehyde for microscopic examination. Blastocystis hominis was found to be the most prevalent parasite with an infection rate of 12.46% followed by Entamoeba coli 1.73%, Ascaris lumbrichoides 0.35%, Oxiuris vermicularis 0.35%, Endolomax nana 0.35%, and Hookworm (Ancylostoma sp and Necator americanus) 0.35%. Parasitic diarrhea increases susceptibility to other infections, should not be neglected, particularly in patients with chronic diarrhea. Accurate diagnosis decreases morbidity and mortality in patients with parasite infection.

Detection Ofentamoebahistolytica in Stool Specimens Among Diarrheal Children

“…The study showed that the E. histolytica was considerably more prevalent in the age group <1-3 years (62.9%) and lower in the age group 10-12 years(3.8%), this variation was high significant (P = <0.0001),as summaries in (Table 5). The results of the present study was agree with Ahmed's study 2016(4) which found higher rate of infection in age group (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) months and (25-36)months after examined 185 diarrheal children. Mathurin and his team (20)which reported that the age group 0-24 months and 5-36 months showed high rate of E. histolytica infection while, fewer infections were detected in the older children.…”

“…In another study conducted in Baghdad(31) they found that among 240 diarrheal children younger than5 years, 99 (41.25%) cases have E.histolytica. Kavili (17)clarified the prevalence of E. histolytica infections in 42.1% amongst the pupils ranged from 6 to 12 years old. In other hand, the results of the present study disagree with several previous studies.…”

“…Although diarrhea is prevalent in all ages, they are often the most severe and deadly among children (38), caused by the consumption of contaminated food or drink by various pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, or helminths (25). Parasites are one of diarrhea causative agent, usually characterized by intermittent diarrhea and lasts more than one week (17). Children are more susceptible to protozoa infections, which have a detrimental effect on their cognitive capacity and physical development due to fat and vitamin B12 malabsorption, deficiency of vitamin A and nutrition deficiencies too (21).…”