RÉSUMÉ
Assessment of Hymenolepis nana infection among 102 children and adults of both sexes [5-16 years] residing 2 Welfare Institutes [Giza and Cairo] showed a prevalence of 22.33%. The effect of H. nana on intestinal permeability and on nutritional parameters of patients was studied. A total of 46 subjects were divided into 2 groups: GI [20 H. nana patients] and GII [26 parasite-free control]. Both groups were subjected to lactulose/mannitol dual permeability test, anthropometric study, estimation of vitamin B12 and folate levels in plasma and estimation of haemoglobin [HB]%, RBCs and WBCs counts and haematocrite value [HCT%] for anaemia. The H. nana patients showed significant higher percent [P=0.04] of altered intestinal permeability versus controls denoting intestinal leakage, significant means lower levels of vitamin B12 [P=0.01] and folate [P <0.04] in blood plasma versus control denoting liability to vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies. Means value of HB%, RBC and WBC counts and HCT% showed generalized decrease but without significant difference in H. nana patients and control denoting anaemia liability. The percent of stunting [HAZ