Resumen

BARON, María Adela; SOLANO R, Liseti; PAEZ, María Concepción  y  PABON, Mariangie. Iron nutritional status and intestinal parasitic infestation in a children from Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2007, vol.20, n.1, pp.5-11. ISSN 0798-0752.

Abstract:  Iron deficiency is worldwide spread and ferropenic anemia is its most severe manifestation. Age, poverty and parasitic infestations are some associated factors. This study was aimed to evaluate iron nutritional status and to establish relationship with age, gender and intestinal parasitic infestations in 264 children (aged 3 to14 years) attending to a school at Valencia, Carabobo. Iron status was assessed by serum ferritin concentrations (ELISA method) and hemoglobin (authomated method). Parasitic infestation was determined by direct observation and Kato Katz method. Prevalence of iron deficiency, anemia and iron deficiency anemia were 69.2%, 16.2% and 11.0%, respectively. Iron deficiency and anemia were significantly higher in preschool children than in school children (79.3% and 23% vs 63.9% and 12.7%, p:<0.05). Parasitic infestation was present in 58.4% of the children; being Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba coli and Giardia lamblia, the most frequent forms. No significant association was found between iron status and gender or parasitic infestation. Results show a mild public health problem regarding anemia, a high prevalence of iron deficiency and intestinal parasitic infestation that could be the expression of sanitary and socioeconomic conditions. Nutritional intervention based on education as fundamental tool to decrease anemia and iron deficiency prevalence should be initiated.An Venez Nutr 2007;20 (1): 5-11

Palabras clave : Iron deficiency; anemia; intestinal parasitic infestations; preschoolers; school children; Venezuela.

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