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[Gastrointestinal parasitic carriage in adopted children]

G Desoubeaux1, A Collin-Dorca2, L Guillon-Grammatico3

  • 1Service de parasitologie-mycologie-médecine tropicale, CHU de Tours, bâtiment B2A, 1(er) étage, 2, boulevard Tonnellé, 37044 Tours cedex 09, France; UMR-Inserm U1100/équipe 3, centre d'étude des pathologies respiratoires, faculté de médecine, université François-Rabelais, 10, boulevard Tonnellé, 37032 Tours cedex 1, France.

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|June 12, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Intestinal parasites, primarily protozoans like Giardia duodenalis, are common in adopted children arriving from endemic areas. Routine screening and antiparasitic treatment are recommended to manage these frequent gastrointestinal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent in tropical regions.
  • These infections are infrequently diagnosed in developed countries, typically occurring in specific populations such as immigrants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of gastrointestinal parasite carriage in internationally adopted children in a French university hospital.
  • To determine the types of parasites and associated demographic factors in this population.

Main Methods:

  • An analytical observational study was conducted longitudinally from 2007 to 2011.
  • Standard stool examinations were systematically performed on newly arrived immigrant children.
  • Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify associations with risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Out of 69 stool samples analyzed, 78% tested positive for parasites.
  • Protozoans, particularly Giardia duodenalis, were more common than helminths.
  • Low weight and height were associated with parasite carriage. Amoebae were more frequent in older children and those from Haiti. Flagellates were more common in African children. Multiple infections were inversely correlated with age.

Conclusions:

  • Gastrointestinal parasites remain highly prevalent in stool samples from immigrant children.
  • Protozoan infections are the majority due to their ease of transmission.
  • Routine stool screening for immigrant children from endemic areas, coupled with antiparasitic treatment, is the most effective strategy.
Abstract

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