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[Maternal and child intestinal parasitism and breast-feeding]
1Departamento de Patologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. leda@uerj.br
Insights
Maternal parasitic infections increase children's risk of intestinal parasites. Exclusive breastfeeding significantly reduces infant parasite rates, highlighting the importance of maternal health and infant feeding practices.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Intestinal parasite prevalence in young children and mothers in Rio de Janeiro.
- Investigation period: March to May 1991.
- Study population: 208 children under two years old and their mothers.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children under two years old.
- To investigate the correlation between maternal parasitic infection and infant infection.
- To analyze the impact of breastfeeding on enteroparasite rates in infants.
Summary:
- Stool analysis using centrifugal-sedimentation revealed a 12.7% infection rate in children and 37.3% in mothers.
- Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common parasite in both groups.
- Exclusively breastfed infants showed no infections, while infected mothers presented a 1.7-fold risk for their children.
Impact:
- Findings suggest infected mothers contribute significantly to their children's parasitic infections.
- Highlights the protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding against enteroparasites.
- Emphasizes the need for integrated maternal and child health strategies to control parasitic diseases.
Abstract:
From March to May 1991, the prevalence of intestinal parasites was detected in 208 children under two-year old, from out patients attending the Public Health Service in Rio de Janeiro. Maternal parasitic infection was simultaneously investigated. Information regarding nurseling's breast-feeding and enteroparasites rates was also recorded. The centrifugal-sedimentation was the method used for stool analysis. Positivity was observed in 12.7% for children and 37.3% for women. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most frequently detected parasite in children under one-year old (4.3%) and mothers (12.7%). The distribution of parasites accordingly to breast-feeding showed a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) among infants. No exclusively suckled child presented infection. Children whose mothers were infected showed almost two fold risk of infection (1.7). A correlation between enteroparasites and weaned children was observed (r = 0.75). We believe that infected mothers can contribute for parasitic infection of their kids.