Height, zinc and soil-transmitted helminth infections in schoolchildren: a study in Cuba and Cambodia

TY - JOUR

T1 - Height, zinc and soil-transmitted helminth infections in schoolchildren

T2 - a study in Cuba and Cambodia

AU - de Gier, Brechje

AU - Mpabanzi, Liliane

AU - Vereecken, Kim

AU - van der Werff, Suzanne D

AU - D'Haese, Patrick C

AU - Fiorentino, Marion

AU - Khov, Kuong

AU - Perignon, Marlene

AU - Chamnan, Chhoun

AU - Berger, Jacques

AU - Parker, Megan E

AU - Díaz, Raquel Junco

AU - Núñez, Fidel Angel

AU - Rivero, Lázara Rojas

AU - Gorbea, Mariano Bonet

AU - Doak, Colleen M

AU - Ponce, Maiza Campos

AU - Wieringa, Frank T

AU - Polman, Katja

N1 - CURIS 2015 NEXS 157

PY - 2015/4/20

Y1 - 2015/4/20

N2 - Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and zinc deficiency are often found in low- and middle-income countries and are both known to affect child growth. However, studies combining data on zinc and STH are lacking. In two studies in schoolchildren in Cuba and Cambodia, we collected data on height, STH infection and zinc concentration in either plasma (Cambodia) or hair (Cuba). We analyzed whether STH and/or zinc were associated with height for age z-scores and whether STH and zinc were associated. In Cuba, STH prevalence was 8.4%; these were mainly Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections. In Cambodia, STH prevalence was 16.8%, mostly caused by hookworm. In Cuban children, STH infection had a strong association with height for age (aB-0.438, p = 0.001), while hair zinc was significantly associated with height for age only in STH uninfected children. In Cambodian children, plasma zinc was associated with height for age (aB-0.033, p = 0.029), but STH infection was not. Only in Cambodia, STH infection showed an association with zinc concentration (aB-0.233, p = 0.051). Factors influencing child growth differ between populations and may depend on prevalences of STH species and zinc deficiency. Further research is needed to elucidate these relationships and their underlying mechanisms.

AB - Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and zinc deficiency are often found in low- and middle-income countries and are both known to affect child growth. However, studies combining data on zinc and STH are lacking. In two studies in schoolchildren in Cuba and Cambodia, we collected data on height, STH infection and zinc concentration in either plasma (Cambodia) or hair (Cuba). We analyzed whether STH and/or zinc were associated with height for age z-scores and whether STH and zinc were associated. In Cuba, STH prevalence was 8.4%; these were mainly Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections. In Cambodia, STH prevalence was 16.8%, mostly caused by hookworm. In Cuban children, STH infection had a strong association with height for age (aB-0.438, p = 0.001), while hair zinc was significantly associated with height for age only in STH uninfected children. In Cambodian children, plasma zinc was associated with height for age (aB-0.033, p = 0.029), but STH infection was not. Only in Cambodia, STH infection showed an association with zinc concentration (aB-0.233, p = 0.051). Factors influencing child growth differ between populations and may depend on prevalences of STH species and zinc deficiency. Further research is needed to elucidate these relationships and their underlying mechanisms.

U2 - 10.3390/nu7043000

DO - 10.3390/nu7043000

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 25903454

SN - 2072-6643

VL - 7

SP - 3000

EP - 3010

JO - Nutrients

JF - Nutrients

IS - 4

ER -