Nutritional Status and Lipid Profile Among Children Infected with Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium

Abstract

     Some intestinal parasites might impact a child's nutritional condition and lipid profile. It has recently been revealed that these parasites have a link to biometric data and lipid profiles. As a result, the current study aims to see how Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium affect nutritional status and lipid profile. From October 2021 to March 2022, this study was done in Baghdad. The participants in the study were 110 children of both sexes, ranging in age from 2 to 17. According to the results of the stool examination, the children were separated into three groups: those infected with Giardia lamblia (n=47), those infected with Cryptosporidium (n=43), and those who appeared to be healthy (n=20). All participating children were subjected to some biometric measurements (body mass index -BMI,  weight and height for age percentile) and lipid profile assessment. BMI and height for age percentile were not significantly related to the G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium infections. Results showed that weight for age percentile was decreased significantly among children who had giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis compared to control group. Cholesterol levels were significantly increased in G. lamblia infected group and triglyceride was significantly increased in Cryptosporidium infected group. HDL was significantly raised up in both G. lambli  and Cryptospordium infected group comparing to control. While non-significant differences were notice regarding LDL among groups