Abstract
Background and study aim: Intestinal parasitic infection and iron deficiency anaemia are still nowadays, an important public health problem worldwide, mainly in developing countries. The present study aimed to study the relationships between intestinal parasitic infections and iron deficiency anaemia in school children 6-12yrs. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among (102) school children at e EleKalige Village-Dakahlia. Children having signs or symptoms related to other causes of microcytic hypochromic anemia such as thalassemia, diabetesmellitus, cancers, receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy were excluded from the study. Examination of blood and stool were done for all children. Results: The prevalence of parasitic infections was 37% of total 102 school children. Parasitic infection was subdivided into 3 major group; helminthes, protozoa and mixed infection. Overall, helminthes infection was more prevalent 22% compared with both protozoa infection 8% and mixed infection 8%. Ancylostoma duodenale (9.8%), Hymenolepis nana and Giardia lamblia (7.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis (5.9%) Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium (3.9%) each and lastly, Enterobius vermicularis, T. trichura and Schistosoma mansoni with 2 cases each (1.9%). The parasitic infection was higher in females (52.6%) more than males (47.4%) insignificantly. Anemia was mild in infected group with Hb (Mean ± SD) 11.12±1.35 g/dl. 51% of selected children were anaemic. The prevalence of anemia was slightly highly non-significant prevalent among infected children (52.6%) compared with non infected (50%). Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) represents 88.5% of anemic cases in all children, 90% of anemic cases in the infected children and 87.5% of anemic cases in non infected children. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of parasitic infections among the children in the rural areas of Egypt and IDA is associated with intestinal parasitic infection.
Highlights
Parasitic infection is considered a major public health problem in children all over the world
Longitudinal studies reported that children who are anemic in einfancy continue to have poor cognition, longlasting adverse effects on hearing and visual function, poor school achievement and more behavioral problems [16]. This cross-sectional survey was carried eout at El Kalige village, Dakahlia governorate to demonstrate the relationship between intestinal parasitic infections and iron deficiency anemia in a sample of children in this rural area in Dakahlia
This study reported that, the prevalence of anemia in all selected children was 51%.This was in accordance with Al-Mekhlafi et al [24] who reported that the prevalence of anemia was 48.5% in a study was done on 241 school children (7-12) years in Pos Betau, Malaysia
Summary
Parasitic infection is considered a major public health problem in children all over the world. Low social and financial status of the individual leads to the increase in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections [1]. In Egypt, the intestinal parasites affect 56% of the school children [3]. Growth retardation and some developmental and mental problems, parasitic infections are considered a dangerous health problem [4]. Intestinal parasitic infection and iron deficiency anaemia are still nowadays, an important public health problem worldwide, mainly in developing countries. The present study aimed to study the relationships between intestinal parasitic infections and iron deficiency anaemia in school children 612yrs
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