title: Pattern of intestinal parasitic infection in preschool children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
abstract: A total of 1,167 stool specimens collected from 0.6-6 years old patients attending King Abdel Aziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Riyadh, were examined for intestinal parasites. Of these 243 (20.8%) were positive. Giardia lamblia (13.5) and Enterobius vermicularis (4.2%), were the commonest parasites found. Other parasites present include Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba histolytica and Hymenolepis nana. Abdominal pain (38.6%) and diarrhoea (27.6%) were the most common causes of referral presented among both males and females examined groups. Out of 211 patients positive for different parasites and showing different causes of referral, 45.5% were accompanied with abdominal pain and 22.3% having pruritus ani, while the percentage of patients having diarrhoea and positive for different parasites (9.5%) are less. It has been concluded that diarrhoea is not a major sign of parasitic infestation in 0.6-6 years old age group. Other causes of referral include, loss of appetite, underweight and failure to thrive which are mainly associated with Giardia lamblia infection.
authors: College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: A S
authors: AS
authors: Bolbol
authors: S D
authors: SD
authors: Mostafa
authors: M
authors: M
authors: al-Sekait
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: al-Nasser
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004404:Dysentery, Amebic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006925:Hymenolepiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D010123:Oxyuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors