The Impact of Parasitic Infestation on Nutritional Status and Micronutrients among Children

Background. Micronutrient deficiency is a great problem that is augmented by infection and poor nutrition. Iron, zinc, and selenium are trace elements needed for human growth. Objective. To investigate the impact of parasitic infection on nutritional status and serum iron, zinc, and selenium in chil...

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Main Authors: Usama M. Alkholy, Sherief M. El Gebaly, Walaa E. M. A. Morsi, Waleed E. Elawamy, Samia E. Etewa, Asmaa M. Yousef
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Journal of Parasitology Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/6996968
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author Usama M. Alkholy
Sherief M. El Gebaly
Walaa E. M. A. Morsi
Waleed E. Elawamy
Samia E. Etewa
Asmaa M. Yousef
author_facet Usama M. Alkholy
Sherief M. El Gebaly
Walaa E. M. A. Morsi
Waleed E. Elawamy
Samia E. Etewa
Asmaa M. Yousef
author_sort Usama M. Alkholy
collection DOAJ
description Background. Micronutrient deficiency is a great problem that is augmented by infection and poor nutrition. Iron, zinc, and selenium are trace elements needed for human growth. Objective. To investigate the impact of parasitic infection on nutritional status and serum iron, zinc, and selenium in children attending Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic of Zagazig University Hospitals. Subjects and Methods. A case-control study included 140 parasitic infected children and one hundred age- and sex-matched controls. Anthropometric measures were evaluated using specific Egyptian growth charts. Parasites were detected in stool specimens using standard microscopic methods. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the detection of serum iron, zinc, and selenium. To examine the statistical relationship between intestinal parasitic infection and the relevant variables (gender, residence, socioeconomic status, and age group), the nonparametric chi-square (χ2) test was used. Data were analyzed statistically using SPSS version 25. Results. Parasitic infected children showed a statistically significant low weight for age, height for age, and BMI. Serum iron, zinc, and selenium were significantly lower in parasitic infected children than controls. Serum iron, zinc, and selenium have significant positive correlations with weight, height, and BMI, respectively. Conclusion. Studied serum micronutrients especially zinc and iron and anthropometric indices were significantly lower in parasitically infected children.
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spelling doaj-art-4d4fa4500b5645918fdaf91c58a102a12025-02-03T05:55:20ZengWileyJournal of Parasitology Research2090-00312024-01-01202410.1155/2024/6996968The Impact of Parasitic Infestation on Nutritional Status and Micronutrients among ChildrenUsama M. Alkholy0Sherief M. El Gebaly1Walaa E. M. A. Morsi2Waleed E. Elawamy3Samia E. Etewa4Asmaa M. Yousef5Department of PediatricsDepartment of PediatricsDepartment of PediatricsDepartment of Medical ParasitologyDepartment of Medical ParasitologyDepartment of Medical ParasitologyBackground. Micronutrient deficiency is a great problem that is augmented by infection and poor nutrition. Iron, zinc, and selenium are trace elements needed for human growth. Objective. To investigate the impact of parasitic infection on nutritional status and serum iron, zinc, and selenium in children attending Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic of Zagazig University Hospitals. Subjects and Methods. A case-control study included 140 parasitic infected children and one hundred age- and sex-matched controls. Anthropometric measures were evaluated using specific Egyptian growth charts. Parasites were detected in stool specimens using standard microscopic methods. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the detection of serum iron, zinc, and selenium. To examine the statistical relationship between intestinal parasitic infection and the relevant variables (gender, residence, socioeconomic status, and age group), the nonparametric chi-square (χ2) test was used. Data were analyzed statistically using SPSS version 25. Results. Parasitic infected children showed a statistically significant low weight for age, height for age, and BMI. Serum iron, zinc, and selenium were significantly lower in parasitic infected children than controls. Serum iron, zinc, and selenium have significant positive correlations with weight, height, and BMI, respectively. Conclusion. Studied serum micronutrients especially zinc and iron and anthropometric indices were significantly lower in parasitically infected children.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/6996968
spellingShingle Usama M. Alkholy
Sherief M. El Gebaly
Walaa E. M. A. Morsi
Waleed E. Elawamy
Samia E. Etewa
Asmaa M. Yousef
The Impact of Parasitic Infestation on Nutritional Status and Micronutrients among Children
Journal of Parasitology Research
title The Impact of Parasitic Infestation on Nutritional Status and Micronutrients among Children
title_full The Impact of Parasitic Infestation on Nutritional Status and Micronutrients among Children
title_fullStr The Impact of Parasitic Infestation on Nutritional Status and Micronutrients among Children
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Parasitic Infestation on Nutritional Status and Micronutrients among Children
title_short The Impact of Parasitic Infestation on Nutritional Status and Micronutrients among Children
title_sort impact of parasitic infestation on nutritional status and micronutrients among children
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/6996968
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