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

Brechje de Gier, Izabiliza Mpabanzi, Kim Vereecken, Suzanne D. van der Werff, Patrick C D'Haese, Marion Fiorentino, Kuong Khov, Marlene Perignon, Chhoun Chamnan, Jacques Berger, Megan E Parker, Raquel Junco Díaz, Fidel Angel Núñez, Lázara Rojas Rivero, Mariano Bonet Gorbea, Colleen M Doak, Maiza Campos Ponce, Frank T Wieringa, Katja Polman

    Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    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.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalNutrients
    Volume7
    Issue number4
    Pages (from-to)3000-3010
    Number of pages11
    ISSN2072-6643
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015

    Keywords

    • Animals
    • Ascaris lumbricoides
    • Body Height
    • Cambodia
    • Child
    • Child Development
    • Cross-Sectional Studies
    • Cuba
    • Developing Countries
    • Female
    • Hair
    • Helminthiasis
    • Humans
    • Linear Models
    • Male
    • Prevalence
    • Soil
    • Trichuris
    • Zinc
    • Journal Article

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