Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: 3036 stool samples were collected from 1959 children and 939 cello-tape anal swabs were taken from 688 children for intestinal parasite investigation. Of these, 155 children were identified as having a parasitic infection; however, only 86 were followed up during this study: 26 children with Giardia lamblia infection were treated with tinidazole and metronidazole, pyrantel pamoate was used in the treatment of 40 children with Enterobius vermicularis, and 20 patients infected with Cryptosporidium parvum received only symptomatic treatment. Vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were measured by radioimmunoassay, before and three months after the completion of treatment. RESULTS:
Vitamin B12 serum concentrations did not show any significant differences among the three groups. There was a significant increase in vitamin B12 serum concentrations after three months of anti-parasitic treatment (630.57+/-200.97 vs. 667.97+/-181.55 pg/dL, p = 0.002, n = 86). Paired analysis in each group showed only significant increases for vitamin B12 in the Giardia lamblia group and in the Enterobius vermicularis group. No statistically significant differences were found for folic acid serum concentrations before and three months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | José L Olivares, Ramona Fernández, Jesús Fleta, María Y Ruiz, Antonio Clavel |
Journal | Journal of the American College of Nutrition
(J Am Coll Nutr)
Vol. 21
Issue 2
Pg. 109-13
(Apr 2002)
ISSN: 0731-5724 [Print] United States |
PMID | 11999537
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cryptosporidiosis
(blood, therapy)
- Drug Therapy
- Enterobiasis
(blood, drug therapy)
- Feces
(parasitology)
- Female
- Folic Acid
(blood)
- Giardiasis
(blood)
- Humans
- Infant
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic
(blood)
- Male
- Spain
- Vitamin B 12
(blood)
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