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Risk factors for the initial symptomatic giardia infection in a cohort of young Arab-Bedouin children

C L Coles1, A Levy, R Dagan

  • 1S. Daniel Abraham International Center for Health & Nutrition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. ccoles@jhsph.edu

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
|November 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Symptomatic giardiasis (SG) affects 26% of Bedouin children, with higher risks in warmer months, livestock exposure, and prior entero-aggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) infection. Early nutritional status also influences SG risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Giardiasis is a prevalent protozoan infection in children, causing diarrhea, malabsorption, and potential growth retardation.
  • Symptomatic giardiasis (SG) presents significant health challenges, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify risk factors associated with the initial symptomatic giardiasis (SG) episode in Arab-Bedouin children in Israel.
  • To understand the epidemiological determinants of giardiasis in a specific pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study followed 238 infants from birth to 18 months in Rahat, a Bedouin township.
  • Giardia infection was diagnosed using antigen detection in fecal specimens.
  • Risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression, considering age, season, environmental exposures, and prior infections.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 26% of children experienced at least one SG episode, with most occurring after 6 months of age.
  • Increased risk of SG was linked to spring/summer seasons (OR 6.16), livestock exposure (OR 4.89), and prior entero-aggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) infection (OR 1.12).
  • Lower weight-for-age Z-scores at 6 months were associated with higher SG risk (OR 0.62).

Conclusions:

  • Giardiasis is a significant cause of childhood diarrhea in Bedouin communities.
  • Seasonal factors, livestock exposure, and co-infection with EAEC are key risk factors for SG.
  • Nutritional status plays a role in susceptibility to symptomatic giardiasis, highlighting the need for integrated health interventions.
Abstract

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