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Social determinants of health

Vol. 26 No. 1 (2024)

The association between intestinal parasites and anemic syndrome in schoolchildren: A literature systematic review

DOI
https://doi.org/10.22267/rus.242601.309
Submitted
March 31, 2022
Published
2023-09-06

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections and anemia are a global public health problem. These parasites have a tropism for the small intestine, which affects the micronutrients absorption during erythropoiesis and causes an anemic syndrome due to a low red blood cell count and hemoglobin deficiency. Objective: To establish the association of intestinal parasite infection and anemic syndrome in schoolchildren. Materials and methods: Systematic search of literature published between 2010 and 2021 about the association between intestinal parasitic infections and anemic syndrome in schoolchildren. Results: 1151 publications were identified, which were reduced to 33 when the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. There were 9 parasites, and the helminths commonly associated with anemia were A. lumbricoides (27.27%), A. duodenalis y T. trichiura, whereas G. duodenalis (6.06%) was the most frequent protozoan. The regions with most publications were Africa (21), Asia (6), South America (5), and Central America (1). There was a significant association between parasitic infection and anemia (CI=95%). Conclusion: High prevalence of deficiency anemia, such as iron deficiency and megaloblastic anemia, was observed. Also, there was a significant association between a higher percentage of helminth infections and anemic syndrome compared to infections caused by protozoans.

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