::.. WCCN 2010 ..::.. Abstracts ..::

15^th World Congress Clinical Nutrition

19^th – 22^nd September 2010 El Sokhna Resort - Egypt

Parasitic infection and nutritional status

Hanan Sayed

Department Public Health, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute Imbaba, Giza, Egypt hananali1993@yahoo.com

More than 90% of developing countries' populations are affected by one or more type of parasitic infection at a time during their life. Parasitic infection especially in children inversely affects their nutritional status. Role of Schistosoma infection as the former most prevalent endemic disease in Egypt is declining after mass chemotherapy campaigns. Intestinal parasites and protozoa are still prevalent in sanitary poorly privileged population. Parasitic infection especially in children inversely affects their nutritional status. The effect may be in the form of blood loss and iron deficiency anemia, poor growth and what is called chronic disease anemia through the inflammatory process. Specific nutrient deficiency could occur with certain parasitic infections. Poor nutritional status leads to poor cognitive function and poor educational achievement. Owing to increase nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating women, concurrent parasitic infection may adversely affect their children. Deworming program in Egypt mainly targeted school children. Deworming of pre-school children could improve their growth rate. Role of administration of supplementary iron and specific micronutrients concurrently with anti-parasitic drugs and inclusion of all vulnerable groups are important in any deworming program. Current research is deficient regarding through analysis of parasite- specific nutritional deficiencies. Population poor perception of nutrition and health and their relationship to parasitic infection should not influence priorities of research communities and decision makers. Evaluation of deworming and supplementation programs should be considered.

Scientific Sessions Abstracts

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