Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide. The term PEM describes the cause (i.e. the imbalance between nutrient supplies and requirements) more than pathogenesis of starvation.The aim of this study is to detect prevalence of intestinal parasitism in malnourished children. Gastrointestinal parasites were assessed in all children. G. duodenalis, E. histolytica, Cryptosporidium were the most prevalent parasites identified. Enteric pathogens are commonly associated with diarrhea among malnourished children. Diarrhea and malnutrition, alone or together, constitute major causes of morbidity and mortality. We carried out a cross-sectional study obtaining anthropometric, parasitological and socioeconomic data. Anthropometric data were expressed as z-scores for weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ), weight for height (WHZ) and mid upper circumference for age (MUACZ). Parasitological examinations were performed through coproscopically, copro immunoassay and copro PCR assay

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