title: Parasitic infections in a pediatric population.
abstract: We studied the frequency of parasitic infection and associated clinical symptoms in children who attended general pediatric and dental clinics at UCLA. Parasites were detected in stool specimens of 40 (38%) of the 1-4 children completing the study. Protozoan parasites were recovered in 39 (38%); one child had whipworm eggs. Parasites included Dientamoeba fragilis in 22 (21%) children and Giardia lamblia in 18 (17%) children; commensals were observed in 15 (14%) children. Parasitic infection was more frequent in younger children, those with a history of immigration or foreign travel and those attending a day care center. A significant proportion of children with parasites had vague gastrointestinal complaints; however, parasites had not been considered as the etiologic agent by the parent or child's physician. Anorexia, irritability and gas were frequent in children with G. lamblia; abdominal pain was more frequent in those with D fragilis. Intestinal parasitic infection should be considered in children with vague gastrointestional complaints, particularly those in endemic areas, with a history of foreign travel or immigration or attending a day care center. Siblings of infected children should have stool examination even if asymptomatic.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004030:Dientamoebiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology