Nutrition and parasitism among rural pre-school children in South Carolina
Carter, J.P.; Vanderzwaag, R.; Darby, W.J.; Lease, E.J.; Lauter, F.H.; Dudley, B.W.; High, E.G.; Wright, D.J.; Murphree, T.
Journal of the National Medical Association 62(3): 181-191
1970
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-9684 PMID: 5419531 Document Number: 19973
Of 131 pre-school Negro children (2 to 8 years old) examined in South Carolina, USA, 28 were infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, 33 with Trichuris trichiura and 35 with both. Of 46 pre-school white children examined in the same area, one was infected with A. lumbricoides and one with T. trichiura. Estimates of numbers of parasites harboured indicated that one-quarter of those infected with T. trichiura had heavy infections (800 worms or more) and nearly one-half of those infected with A. lumbricoides had moderate to heavy infections (10 worms or more). There was no significant correlation between infection with A. lumbricoides and serum vitamin A levels. Dietary, clinical and biochemical findings indicated malnutrition, which together with T. trichiura infection contributed to the systemic iron deficiency found in 50% of the children. The end result of chronic undernutrition and intestinal parasitism was seen in retardation of growth and decreases amounts of subcutaneous fat.