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ISSN 1681-715X |
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Volume 24 |
April - June 2008 (Part-I) |
Number 2 |
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Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS |
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ISSN 1681-715X |
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Volume 24 |
April - June 2008 (Part-I) |
Number 2 |
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Demographic and biochemical features associated
to children infected with intestinal helminths
Airauhi LU1, Idogun ES2
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of the study was to characterize demographic and clinical presentations of children with intestinal helminthiasis and also assess the effects of ascariasis on some plasma biochemical parameters.
Methodology: It was a cross-sectional community-based study carried out amongst rural children aged between 0-16 years. One stool sample per child was collected and examined microscopically for parasites. Stool smear positive children were studied and evaluated for clinical signs and symptoms. Blood was obtained from them and total protein, serum albumin, packed cell volume, vitamin C and E were determined in them as well as among children with stool parasite negative which served as controls.
Results: A total of 239 children were enrolled and had their stool samples collected, 147(61.5%) of the stool were infected. The most prevalent intestinal helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides 105(43.9%), Trichuris trichuria 28(11.7%) and Hookworm 14(5.9%). The commonest complain among the children was diarrhea 40(27.2%) and the least vomiting 4(2.7%). The commonest clinical finding was pallor 15(10.2%) and the least wheezing 3(2.0%). Biochemically, the plasma total protein, albumin, Vitamin C and E as well as the PCV were significantly reduced in children with moderate and heavy Ascaris infection than controls.
Conclusions: Heavy and moderate ascariasis are associated with various morbidities evident by both clinical and biochemical findings. Our findings should re-emphasize the need for all stakeholders to support and implement community-based control programmes of intestinal helminthiasis in Nigeria and other tropical countries.
KEY WORDS: Intestinal helminthiasis, Worm burden, Demography, Biochemical, Features.
Pak J Med Sci April - June 2008 (Part-I) Vol. 24 No. 2 269-273
1. Airauhi LU, Ph.D
Department of Medical Microbiology,
2. Idogun ES, MB. ChB. FMCPath, MPH
Department of Chemical Pathology,
1-2: College of Medicine,
University of Benin,
Benin City, Nigeria.
Correspondence:
Dr. Idogun E.S,
Department of Chemical Pathology,
University of Benin Teaching Hospital,
P.M.B 1111,
Benin – City,
Nigeria.
E-mail:
sylvesteridogun@yahoo.co.uk
* Received for Publication: July 17, 2007
* Revision Received: January 29, 2008
* Revision Accepted: January 31, 2008
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