Association between Intestinal Helminthiasis and Serum Ferritin Levels Among School Children英文文献资料.docVIP

Open Journal of Pediatrics, 2011, 1, 12-16 OJPed doi:10.4236/ojped 2011.12004 Published Online June 2011 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/OJPed/). Association between intestinal helminthiasis and serum ferritin levels among school children Olufunmilayo Victoria Adebara , Samuel Kolade Ernest , Isaac Ayodele Ojuawo 1 2* 2 1 2 Federal Medical Centre, Iddo-Ekiti, Nigeria; Department of Paediatrics and Child Heath, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. E-mail: kolade.ernest@ * Received 10 April 2011; revised 24 May 2011; accepted 16 June 2011. ABSTRACT iron requirements for growth are high and the intake of iron is likely to be less than their requirements. Thus, any condition that increases the need for iron, decreases its intake or increases its loss will precipitate its defi- ciency [1]. Several factors contribute to iron deficiency such as insufficient dietary intake, malabsorption and infections [2]. Helminthic infections may influence iron status by reducing nutrient intake and by interfering directly or indirectly with iron metabolism and transport [2]. In school-aged children, both infections and iron deficiency can lead to anorexia. Infections inhibit the absorption of iron from the gastro-intestinal tract and iron deficiency lowers resistance to infections. This process creates a vicious circle of inadequate nutrition [2,3]. Iron deficiency is very common in Nigeria, occurring in approximately 36% of children younger than 5 years of age [4]. Helminthiasis is also a common problem among Nigerian school children and has a negative im- pact in their physical and mental development by many mechanisms including malabsorption [6] blood and pro- tein loss [7], anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea. These effects can lead to aggravation of protein energy malnu