Apolipoprotein E4 effect on development and cognitive function in giardia-infected children

ABSTRACT

Parasitic infections can seriously affect child development and cognition while the treatment is easy and cheap. To elucidate apolipoprotein [ApoE] and neurodevelopment in children with Giardiasis and the role of ApoE isoforms in childhood cognition and infant development. The present study was performed on 75 Giardia-infected patients [1-9 years] and 45 healthy children control group of similar age and sex.They were subjected to anthropometric measurements. cognitive functioning. developmental assessments and determination of ApoE allelic forms. ApoE genotypes frequency distribution in the studied children was 6. 8, 4, 42, 27 and 33 for E2/2, E2/3. E2/4, E3/3. E3/4 and [4/4, respectively. There were no significant differences regarding demographic and anthropometric measurements as well as cognitive function between ApoE4 carrier and non carrier in children above 4 years; but their scores of performance, part of the intelligence test, and of the frill scale IQs proved to be at the lower normal level. Meanwhile, highly significant differences were observed between ApoE4 carrier and minim carrier regarding developmental assay in children below 4 years. The ApoE4 isoforms have a protective role on cognitive development in children below 4 years sufferring from sole Giartia infection. So, children with ApoE4 negative genotypes should be notified for their susceptibility to cognitive impairment after diarrhea in early infancy and childhood and are advised for careful follow up