Serum Micronutrients in Helminth-infected Pregnant Women and Children: Suggestions for Differential Supplementation During Anti-helminthic Treatment
Background: The prevalence of <a title="Learn more about Helminthiasis" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/helminthiasis">helminth infection</a>, which is known to affect nutritional status of the host, varies with age. The complex inter...
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| Autores principales: | , , , , , , |
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| Formato: | article |
| Lenguaje: | EN |
| Publicado: |
Ubiquity Press
2016
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://doaj.org/article/ca8cdefb576e41c58a95bdd8baa166b1 |
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| Sumario: | Background: The prevalence of <a title="Learn more about Helminthiasis" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/helminthiasis">helminth infection</a>, which is known to affect nutritional status of the host, varies with age. The complex interplay between ages, nutrient requirements, and infection necessitated the need to recommend <a title="Learn more about Micronutrient" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/micronutrient">micronutrient</a> supplementation during helminth infection among different age groups. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of alteration in selected micronutrients in pregnant women and preschool- and school-aged children with helminth infection. Methods: We screened 245 pregnant women and 349 children for helminth infection. Of these, 17 (6.9%) pregnant women and 102 (29.2%) children (42 preschool- and 60 school-aged) had helminth infection. Only '<a title="Learn more about Ascaris lumbricoides" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/ascaris-lumbricoides">Ascaris lumbricoides</a>' was found in pregnant women, whereas the children had 'A lumbricoides', hookworm, 'Fasciola hepatica', and '<a title="Learn more about Trichuris" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/trichuris">Trichuris</a>' trichiura infections. The helminth-infected (HI) pregnant women, preschool-aged children, and school-aged children were matched with helminth-negative (HN) pregnant women (n = 21), preschool-aged children (n = 42), and school-aged children (n = 50) who served as controls. <a title="Learn more about Venous blood" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/venous-blood">Venous blood</a> samples were obtained and analyzed for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), <a title="Learn more about Selenium" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/selenium">selenium</a> (Se), and <a title="Learn more about Vitamin C" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/vitamin-c">vitamins A and C.</a> Statistical analysis was done using Student’s 't' test, and 'P' < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: Serum levels of Fe, Zn, and Se were significantly lower in HI pregnant women than HN pregnant women. In preschool-aged children, serum levels of Fe, Zn, and <a title="Learn more about Vitamin A" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/vitamin-a">vitamin A</a> were significantly lower in the HI than in the HN group. Similarly, serum levels of Zn and vitamin A were significantly lower in HI school-aged children than in the HN group. However, serum levels of Se were significantly higher in HI children (both age groups) than in the corresponding HN group. Conclusion: Helminth infection alters different types of micronutrients in children and pregnant women. Results from the present study therefore suggest monitoring Fe, Zn, or vitamin A supplementation with an <a title="Learn more about Anthelmintic" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/anthelmintic">anti-helminthic</a> regimen. |
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