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Malabsorption of water miscible vitamin A in children with giardiasis and ascariasis
Insights
Children with parasitic infections like giardiasis and ascariasis show impaired vitamin A absorption. Eradicating these infections significantly improves vitamin A uptake, especially in cases of combined infections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nutritional Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Parasitic infections, such as giardiasis and ascariasis, are prevalent in children.
- These infections can potentially impact nutrient absorption, including essential vitamins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Giardia lamblia and Ascaris lumbricoides infections on vitamin A absorption in children.
- To evaluate the impact of parasite eradication on improving vitamin A absorption.
Main Methods:
- Studied vitamin A absorption in 19 children (1.5-9 years) with giardiasis and/or ascariasis before and after treatment.
- Included a control group of 3 children without parasitic infections.
- Utilized a water-miscible oral preparation of vitamin A for absorption assessment.
Main Results:
- Marked impairment of vitamin A absorption was observed in children with combined Giardia lamblia and Ascaris lumbricoides infections.
- Significant vitamin A malabsorption was also noted in children with giardiasis alone and in some with ascariasis alone.
- Eradication of infections led to prompt and significant improvement in vitamin A absorption in children with combined infections and giardiasis alone.
- Therapy for ascariasis alone did not result in statistically significant improvement in vitamin A absorption.
Conclusions:
- Giardiasis and ascariasis significantly impair vitamin A absorption in children.
- Successful treatment of giardiasis, alone or combined with ascariasis, restores normal vitamin A absorption.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind vitamin A malabsorption in ascariasis and the lack of significant improvement post-treatment.
Abstract:
Vitamin A absorption was studied using a water-miscible oral preparation of vitamin A in 19 children ages 1 1/2 to 9 years old with giardiasis and/or ascariasis, both before and after their eradication with appropriate therapy, and in three children without parasites. Marked impairment of vitamin A absorption was noted when administered in a water miscible form in children with 1) combined infection with Giardia lamblia and Ascaris lumbricoides, 2) giardiasis alone, and 3) in a proportion of children with ascariasis alone. In children with both giardiasis and ascarasis eradication of the infections promptly lead to a significant improvement in vitamin A absorption and restored it to normal. Children with giardiasis alone also showed improved vitamin A absorption after therapy. In children with ascariasis alone successful therpay did not lead to a statistically significant improvement.