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[Absorption of D-xylose in intestinal parasitic diseases]
Insights
Children infected with Giardia lamblia showed impaired xylose absorption and reduced height, suggesting a link between parasitic infections, malnutrition, and intestinal health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Infectious diseases
- Nutritional science
Context:
- Intestinal absorption is crucial for child development.
- Parasitic infections are common in primary school children.
- Assessing the impact of parasites on nutrient absorption is vital.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between intestinal absorption and parasitic infections in children.
- To evaluate the effect of specific parasites, including Giardia lamblia, on xylose absorption.
- To assess the correlation between parasitic load, nutritional status (height, weight, hemoglobin, hematocrit), and intestinal absorption.
Summary:
- A study of 106 primary school children revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasites (57.6%), with Entamoeba histolytica, Hymenolepis nana, and Ascaris lumbricoides being common.
- Children infected with Giardia lamblia exhibited significantly reduced xylose absorption compared to uninfected children.
- Giardia-infected children also presented with lower height measurements relative to their peers without parasitic infections.
Impact:
- Giardiasis may lead to impaired intestinal absorption and contribute to malnutrition in children.
- Findings highlight the pathogenic mechanisms of Giardia lamblia and its interplay with malnutrition.
- This research underscores the importance of addressing parasitic infections to improve child health and development.
Abstract:
In order to investigate the intestinal absorption in relation to parasitic diseases, 106 children were studied using the xylose test. All of them were attending a primary school. The height and weight were recorded, and the hemoblobin and hematocrit were estimated in each one. The examination of the stools shown one or more parasites in 57.6 per cent specimens. The E. histolytica, Hymenolepis nana and A. lumbricoides, were identified in 22.6, 21.7 and 20.7 per cent children, respectively; G lamblia was found in 10.4 per cent. Only the children with Giardia had a statistical difference in the absorption of xylose, with respect to those without parasites. At the same time height was low in comparison to a group of children with similar age and sex, selected among the 45 without parasitic diseases. Findings are discussed according to the pathogenic mechanism involved in giardiasis. Emphasis is done in the interplay of malnutrition and G. lamblia.