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Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Children: A 10-Year Retrospective Study
Rita R Martins1, Filipa Paixão1, Inês Mendes1
1Pediatric Service, Child and Youth Department, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Lisbon, PRT.
Insights
Intestinal parasitic infections are a concern in Portugal, particularly among pediatric migrants. Giardia lamblia and Strongyloides stercoralis were most common, with increased diagnoses linked to population changes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Public health epidemiology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) pose significant public health challenges, especially in resource-limited settings with inadequate sanitation.
- Limited data exists on IPIs within Portugal's pediatric population, particularly concerning the growing migrant community.
- This study addresses the need for comprehensive data on IPIs in children and adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of intestinal parasitic infections in pediatric patients in Portugal.
- To analyze epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological aspects of these infections.
- To identify common etiological agents and risk factors in a vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, descriptive study design was employed.
- Data was collected from pediatric patients (children and adolescents) with positive stool examinations or serologies for specific parasites between January 2012 and June 2022.
- Inclusion criteria involved symptomatic patients or those undergoing opportunistic screening.
Main Results:
- Seventy-seven pediatric patients were included, with 56% identified as migrants.
- A total of 79 IPIs were diagnosed, yielding a positivity rate of 2.5%.
- The most prevalent parasites identified were Giardia lamblia and Strongyloides stercoralis, with increasing diagnoses over time correlating with the migrant population growth. Notably, 7.8% of infections occurred in infants under one year old.
Conclusions:
- This research provides unique insights into pediatric IPIs in Europe, highlighting a gap in current literature.
- The findings underscore the importance of considering IPIs in pediatric populations, especially among migrants, and the need for enhanced surveillance.
- Further multicenter research is recommended to refine diagnostic and treatment strategies for intestinal parasites in children.
Abstract:
Background and objective Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health concern, especially in low-income regions with poor sanitation. Our hospital caters to a large migrant population, but data on these infections in Portugal is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of intestinal parasitic infections in pediatric patients from epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological perspectives. Methods A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted involving symptomatic or opportunistically screened children and adolescents, with positive stool examination for eggs, cysts, and parasites (O&P) or positive serologies for Strongyloides/Schistosoma, at a level II hospital in Portugal, between January 2012 and June 2022. Results Seventy-seven patients were included in the study, of whom 56% were migrants. The median age was six years. A total of 79 intestinal parasitic infections were diagnosed, corresponding to a positivity rate of 2.5%. Among these, 7.8% occurred in children aged under one year, a particularly vulnerable group. The most frequently identified parasite was Giardia lamblia, followed by Strongyloides stercoralis. The rate of diagnoses increased over the study period, linked to the growing migrant population. Clinically, most children and adolescents were asymptomatic. Additionally, there was a significant rate of loss to medical follow-up, which could contribute to transmission. Conclusions This study is unique in its focus on characterizing intestinal parasitic infections in the pediatric population, addressing a gap in existing research. It highlights the need for further research among children living in Europe, especially given the rising migrant population. Multicenter studies are crucial to better understand infection patterns and improve diagnostic and treatment protocols.
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