title: Giardia intestinalis and nutritional status in children participating in the complementary nutrition program, Antioquia, Colombia, May to October 2006.
abstract: Giardia intestinalis infection is prevalent throughout the world and widely distributed in developing countries. In general, children display serious consequences to their state of health, including slow height-weight development; therefore, the main aim of this study was to determine the association between Giardia infection and the nutritional status of children who participate in the program of complementary feeding (Mejoramiento Alimentario y Nutricional de Antioquia (MANA) - Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF)). A cross-sectional study examining the association of giardiasis with nutritional status was conducted. A total of 2035 children aged eight months to six years-old were studied. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis of blood and stool samples. Analysis of the results showed that 27.6% of children were infected with G. intestinalis, while 8.1% and 1.9% were mildly and significantly underweight, respectively, and 14.1% presented stunting. Giardiasis was statistically identified as a strong predictor of stunting in this study population.
authors: Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia. jbotero@quimbaya.udea.edu.co
authors: Jorge H
authors: JH
authors: Botero-Garcés
authors: Gisela M
authors: GM
authors: García-Montoya
authors: Dayvin
authors: D
authors: Grisales-Patiño
authors: Daniel C
authors: DC
authors: Aguirre-Acevedo
authors: Martha C
authors: MC
authors: Alvarez-Uribe
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D009313:National Health Programs; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors