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Review
. 2022 Nov 12;7(11):371.
doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110371.

Intestinal Parasitic Infection and Nutritional Status in Children under Five Years Old: A Systematic Review

Nisa Fauziah  1   2   3 , Jenifer Kiem Aviani  4 , Yukan Niko Agrianfanny  2 , Siti Nur Fatimah  5
Affiliations
Review

Intestinal Parasitic Infection and Nutritional Status in Children under Five Years Old: A Systematic Review

Nisa Fauziah et al. Trop Med Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are common infectious diseases causing many health problems and impaired growth and physical development.. Children under five years old are the most vulnerable to infections, due to their immature immunity and feeding and exploratory behaviours. This systematic review aimed to assess the relationship between intestinal parasitic infections and undernutrition among children under 5 years old. Fifteen studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were classified as high-quality studies. Twelve parasites were reported, including Ascaris lumbricoides, Cryptosporodium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Enterobius vermicularis, Giardia lamblia, hookworm, Hymenolepis nana, Strongyloides sterocalis, Taenia spp. and Trichuris trichuria. Ascariasis is the most reported infection, with a prevalence ranging from 10.77% in Ethiopia to 57.14% in Malaysia, and is correlated with stunting (OR 2.17 (95% CI 1.14, 4.13), p = 0.02). Giardiasis is the second most reported infection, with a prevalence ranging from 4.43% in Ethiopia to 66.33% in the Central African Republic, and is related to an increased risk of stunting (OR 2.34 (95% CI 1.07, 5.10), p = 0.03)), wasting (OR 2.90 (95% CI 1.12, 7.49, p = 0.03)), and being underweight (OR 1.53 (95% CI 1.02, 2.29, p = 0.04)). The third and fourth most prevalent infections are T. trichiura and hookworm infections. Intestinal parasitic infections can occur very early in life and cause significant growth retardation. It is important to understand the prevalence and effects of infection based on the parasite species in order to implement therapeutic interventions and prevention controls.

Keywords: Ascaris lumbricoides; Giardia lamblia; Trichura trichiura; children under 5; hookworm; intestinal parasitic infection; soil-transmitted helminth; stunting; underweight; wasting; water-borne parasitic infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plots of parasitic infections and stunting effect size [37,39,40,41,42,43,45,46,47,48,49].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plots of parasitic infections and stunting effect size [37,39,40,41,42,43,45,46,47,48,49].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plots of parasitic infections and wasting effect size [36,39,42,43,45,46,49].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plots of parasitic infections and underweight effect size [36,39,43,44,45,46,49].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Relationship between low socioeconomic status, parasitic infections, and undernourishment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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