Relationship between protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin A, and parasitoses in children living in Brasília

Abstract

It is still controversial whether intestinal parasitic infections can influence the nutritional status of children. The relationship between protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin A and parasitic infections was evaluated in 124 children. The food intake estimated by recall method was generally low and poor. Seventy five percent of the children were infected with intestinal parasites. The mean+/-SD weight-for-age and height-for-age Z-score were skewed one standard deviation to the left, when compared to normal standards. An association was found between protein-energy malnutrition and Giardia lamblia, but not with Ascaris lumbricoides or Hymenolepis nana infection. Only Giardia-infected children had a decreased weight-for-age and weight-for-height Z-score. Hypovitaminosis A was a major nutritional problem, but no relationship between this deficiency and parasitic infection was found. Our data indicate that low and poor food intake were the major cause of protein-energy malnutrition among the children, and except for Giardia, this was not influenced by parasitic infections.

Intestinal parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients: epidemiological, nutritional and immunological aspects

“…Studies relating AIDS patients to opportunistic infections have shown that HAART has contributed to HIV infection control and to the reconstitution of patient immune systems, leading to a reduction in the occurrence of opportunistic infections, including those caused by intestinal parasites (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31).…”

“…Recent studies have also shown that prolonged use of HAART, particularly of protease inhibitors, has an important impact on user nutritional status. The relationship between infections caused by intestinal parasites and some nutritional indicators has been proven in numerous studies involving nutritional status, infection prevalence and intensity (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Malnutrition has a serious influence on immunity aspects, including the production of cytokines and antibodies, particularly Th2 profile (21)(22)(23).…”

Giardiasis and Poor Vitamin A Status among Aboriginal School Children in Rural Malaysia

“…34 In contrast, previous reports from Brazil and Kenya found no association between intestinal parasitic infections and low serum retinol concentrations. 8,28 Moreover, a study aimed at investigating the effects of ascariasis on vitamin A in 24 children 4-10 years of age in a slum area of Dhaka City, Bangladesh, concluded that there was no association between ascariasis and malabsorption of vitamin A. 35 The authors also found no correlation between serum retinol concentration and intensities of A. lumbricoides infection.…”

“…Furthermore, previous studies among children in areas where G. duodenalis is hyperendemic found that Giardia infection has no adverse impact on their growth and vitamin A status. 8,36,37 These inconsistencies could be caused by differences in study population and study design. The subjects of the present study were Aboriginal children residing in remote area where poverty and many health problems, including malnutrition and intestinal parasitic infections, prevail, and these conditions make it more likely that complications of infection will develop in these children.…”

“…Several recent studies in South Africa, northern Ethiopia, Brazil, Nepal, and Vietnam showed that the prevalence of VAD was high especially in rural areas. [6][7][8][9][10] According to the United Nations Children's Fund, Kenya, Benin, the Congo, Zambia, India, Afghanistan, and Myanmar still have a high prevalence of VAD, which can be as high as 70%. 5 Vitamin A deficiency is usually caused by prolonged dietary deprivation or inadequate intake as in Africa where hunger and malnutrition prevail.…”