What are the common parasitic infestations in Indian children?

From the Guidelines

The most common parasitic infestations in Indian children include soil-transmitted helminths, such as Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms, and Trichuris trichiura, as well as protozoan infections like Giardia and Entamoeba histolytica, and vector-borne parasites like malaria. These infections are prevalent in India due to various socioeconomic factors, including poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and limited healthcare resources 1.

Prevalent Parasitic Infections

• Soil-transmitted helminths: Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms, Trichuris trichiura
• Protozoan infections: Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica
• Vector-borne parasites: Malaria

Epidemiology and Clinical Manifestations

The epidemiology of these infections in India is complex, with varying prevalence rates across different regions and populations 1. Clinical manifestations can range from asymptomatic to severe, depending on the type of infection and the individual's immune response. For example, neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia solium, can present with seizures, hydrocephalus, and other neurological symptoms 1.

Diagnostic Approaches and Treatment Regimens

Diagnostic approaches may include stool examinations, blood tests, and imaging studies like CT or MRI scans. Treatment regimens vary depending on the type of infection, but may include antiparasitic medications like albendazole, mebendazole, and metronidazole 1. For instance, albendazole 400mg single dose is recommended for Ascaris, while mebendazole 100mg twice daily for 3 days is recommended for hookworms.

Prevention Strategies and Public Health Initiatives

Prevention strategies, such as improving sanitation and access to clean water, are crucial in reducing the burden of parasitic infections in India. Public health initiatives, including national control programs and awareness campaigns, can also play a significant role in preventing and controlling these infections 1. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is necessary to address the issue of parasitic infestations in Indian children.

From the Research

Common Parasitic Infestations in Indian Children

• Intestinal parasitic infections are a significant cause of morbidity among Indian children, with a prevalence of 36% reported in one study 2.
• The most common intestinal parasites found in Indian children include:
  • Entamoeba histolytica (23.2%) 2
  • Giardia intestinalis (5.2% to 48.0%) 2, 3
  • Hookworm (4.4%) 2
  • Ascaris lumbricoides (3.2% to 76%) 2, 4
  • Trichuris trichiura (2.4%) 4, 5
• Other parasitic infestations found in Indian children include:
  • Strongyloides stercoralis 4
  • Balantidium coli (2.4%) 5
  • Cryptosporidium spp (18.9%) 5

Risk Factors and Associations

• Open field defecation and inadequate hand washing practices have been found to be significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections in Indian children 2, 3.
• Age of the child has also been found to be a significant risk factor, with children between 25-60 months being more susceptible to intestinal parasitic infections 3.
• Intestinal parasitic infections have been found to be associated with anemia, with a prevalence of 84.8% reported in one study 2.