Growth and iron status of children recovering from trichuris dysentery syndrome - abstract

ABSTRACT

Trichuris dysentry syndrome is a severe form of trichuriasis which develops as a result of infection by Trichuris trichuria and can adversely affect the growth and iron status of children. We examined the growth and iron status of ten Jamaican children with trichuris dysentery syndrome, aged 2 to 7 years. Data were collected before treatment and serially, for six months, after treatment. Heights and weights are expressed as standard deviation (Z) scores, which were calculated using the National Center for Health Statistics growth charts. Mean Hb, PVC, MCHC, height Z-score and median serum ferritin before and after treatment are presented in the table. There was a significant increase in the mean height Z-score, mean weight Z-score and mean haemoglobin after treatment; however, median serum ferritin concentration and mean PCV did not increase significantly. The change in average MCHC approached significance. Anthelmintic treatment and iron therapy resulted in an improvement in the Hb, PCV and MCHC levels but did not affect iron stores. Treatment resulted in an increase in the weight Z-score and height Z-score of the patients - table included (AU)