IMPACT OF PARASITIC INFECTIONS AND DIETARY INTAKE ON CHILD GROWTH IN THE SCHISTOSOMIASIS-ENDEMIC DONGTING LAKE REGION, CHINA

HUAN ZHOU Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; School of Public Health, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yueyang, People’s Republic of China; National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

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RYUTARO OHTSUKA Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; School of Public Health, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yueyang, People’s Republic of China; National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

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YONGKANG HE Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; School of Public Health, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yueyang, People’s Republic of China; National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

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LIPING YUAN Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; School of Public Health, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yueyang, People’s Republic of China; National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

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TARO YAMAUCHI Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; School of Public Health, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yueyang, People’s Republic of China; National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

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ADRIAN C. SLEIGH Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; School of Public Health, Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Yueyang, People’s Republic of China; National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2005.72.534
Volume/Issue:
Volume 72: Issue 5
Page(s):
534–539
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The simultaneous impacts of parasitic infections and dietary intake on growth patterns were investigated for 427 children aged 10–13 years in the schistosomiasis-endemic Dongting Lake region of China. Height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, and skinfold thicknesses (triceps, biceps, and subscapular) were measured, and eggs of Schistosoma japonicum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Fasciolopsis buski in the collected stool samples of each subject were detected by Kato-Katz thick smear technique. Long-term dietary intake of each subject was assessed with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. The results demonstrate that the study children were retarded in growth compared with the standards of Chinese rural children; among them, the girls were more frequently infected for S. japonicum and had lower intakes of protein and energy. Reduced height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference were noted in children infected with S. japonicum, most severely in the girls with the least energy and protein intakes. Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that growth retardation was significantly and substantially associated with S. japonicum infection and lack of protein-energy intakes. For child health programs, regular schistosomiasis screening and treatment in schoolchildren needs to be complemented by health and nutrition education for both children and parents. Also, special attention should be paid to educating parents about the needs of girls.

Author Notes

Reprint requests: Huan Zhou, Department of Human Ecology, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan, Telephone: 81-3-5841-3608, Fax: 81-3-5841-3395. E-mail: zhou@humeco.m.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
Copyright:
Copyright 2005 The American Society of Tropical Medicine 2005
Received:
21 May 2004
|
Accepted:
13 Aug 2004
|
Published Online:
May 2005
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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