Incidence, clinical picture and treatment of giardiasis in childhood

ABSTRACT

A random sample of 300 children attending the inpatient clinics of Banha and Tanta Universities Hospitals were examined for Giardia lamblia infection. 71 were positive for Giardia giving an incidence of 23.6%.Mixed infection with other parasites were found in 12 cases. The clinical picture was variable 22.5% were asymptomatic. Foul smelling stools, anorexia, abdominal pain and diarrhea were the frequent symptoms of infection specially in the pre-school aged children. Anemia and eosinophilia were also present. The children were given metronidazole as treatment which proved effective in 80.2% of them