ABSTRACT
Background:Worms are among the major causes of human misery and death in the world today. An important source of nutritional and energetic stress in many populations is infectious diseases, such as diarrheal disease, respiratory infections, and parasitic infections. The helminthes disease in Kashmir valley particularly the Ascariasis is mainly present in children from low socio-economic status. Kashmiri Children are most vulnerable to developing malnutrition and are likely to suffer from the effects of helminthiasis. Objective: The aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between Helminthic infection and nutritional status of the Kashmiri children. Methodology: An analysis of 100 patients (both boys and girls) suffering from parasitic infestation in the age group of 2-10 years was done in the present study. On the basis of clinical presentations, physical findings the nutritional status of Kashmiri children suffering from parasitic infestation was determined. Results:The majority of the patients belong to the age group of 2-4 years, correlation between higher prevalence of parasitism and poor environment situation was observed and malnutrition is observed a major cause of the disease. Mothers of patients had low literacy rate as comparison to father. Majority of the patients had the MAC, chest circumference as well as head circumference much less than the normal. Interpretation & conclusion:Kashmirichildren suffering from parasitic infestation have a very poor nutritional status, Anorexia, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Fever, Respiratory infection;Anaemia and Dry cough were major complaints in all patients. Lack of personal hygiene, exclusive use of unboiled water, pica and field defecation increased risk of worm infestation. Helminthiasis is a common health problem among preschool children. Its association with malnutrition dictates that urgent steps need to be taken to prevent children from being infested if under –five mortality is to be reduced. This may be achieved through improvement in sanitary conditions of the environment, deworming and proper nutrition of the child.
ABSTRACT
Studies on physicochemical, morphology and pasting properties of starches extracted from water chestnuts of three Lakes of Kashmir valley (Wular, Anchar and Dal Lakes) were conducted to determine their application in different food products. The water chestnut starch from Dal Lake had more oval shaped granules than water chestnut starches from the Wular and the Anchar Lakes.The unique feature of the water chestnut starches were shape of starch granules which looked like horn(s) protruding from the surface which did not appear in other starches already studied. Proximate analysis of water chestnut starches showed that average protein content were 0.4 percent, amylose 29.5 percent and ash 0.007 on dry weight basis. Increase in water binding capacity, swelling power and solubility was found over a temperature range of 50-90ºC. Water chestnut starches showed an increase in syneresis during freeze thaw cycles and decline in paste clarity upon storage. Starch extracted from the water chestnuts of the Dal Lake showed higher water binding capacity, swelling, solubility, past clarity, freeze thaw stability, peak viscosity, final viscosity and lower protein content, amylose content, pasting temperature and gel firmness than starches extracted from water chestnuts of the Wular and the Anchar Lakes.