Biochemical and haematological changes accompanying parasitic infestations in children

ABSTRACT

Intestinal parasites are one of the public health problems in Egypt. This is particularly true in childhood period. To extend information on the biochemical and haematological changes accompanying parasitic infestations, 100 children from the tropical clinic in Boulak El Dakrour Hospital, all harbouring intestinal parasites and 20 healthy controls were studied. The children's age was between 3, 5 and 12 years. Cases and controls were subjected to clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, determination of body composition and bone age and laboratory investigations Stool analysis, complete blood picture, estimation of total serum protein, protein electrophoresis, serum transferrin and serum zinc. The frequency of different intestinal parasites were E. vermicularis [16%], E. Histolytica [51%] H. nana [41%]. S. mansoni [32%] A. Lumbricoides [23%]. G. Lamblia [15%] A. Duodenale [2%] and strongyloides stercoralis [1%]. Our patients presented with low Haemoglobin level with varying degree of anemia and eosinophilia. Serum albumin was significantly decreased in infected cases, alpha[1] and B globulin showed no statistical significant difference between cases and controls alpha[2] globulin was significantly decreased in infected children. 8 globulin level was non significantly increased in infected patients compared to healthy controls. A statistically significant decrease in transferrin level was found in infected cases, serum zinc was significantly decreased in patients than in the controls