Case control study of giardiasis in diarhoeas versus non diarrhoeal children aging 6-12 years

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work is to study the prevalence, the clinical presentation and the different methods of diagnosis of giardiasis among school children aging 6-12 years suffering from acute diarrhea. The prevalence of giardiasis was 26% and 6% in diarrheal and non- diarrheal children, respectively. Children with giardiasis were younger, without sex difference and in lower socioeconomic status that those without giardiasis. Simple stool analysis detected 43.8%, simple flotation method detected 68.8% while, duodenal aspiration detected 81.3% of giardia cases. Stools in giardiasis was offensive, pale whitish and not bloody. Offensive stool was the commonest manifestation [87.5%] followed by diarrhea [81.3%]. It was concluded that the clinical picture of giardiasis is suggestive and duodenal aspiration is a good diagnostic methods. Large scale study and duodenal biopsy are recommended