Prevalence of malnutrition and intestinal parasites in preschool slum children in Lucknow.

OBJECTIVE To assess the point prevalence of intestinal parasites and their association with nutritional parameters. SETTING Anganwadi centers under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in Lucknow, North India. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. METHODS By random draw, 32 out of 153 Anganwadi centers were selected. All eligible subjects registered with the Anganwadi worker were enrolled. These were 1061 children (48.3% girls and 51.7% boys) between the ages of 1.5 to 3.5 years. RESULTS Of these, 67.6% were underweight (weight for age < -2 SD), 62.8% were stunted (height for age < -2 SD) and 26.5% were wasted (weight for height < -2 SD). Parasites were detected in 17.5% (95% CI 15.3%-19.9%) children by a single direct fecal smear examination. Of these, Ascaris lumbricoides was found in 124 (68.1%) and Giardia lamblia in 60 (32.9%). There was no association between weight or height and parasite positivity. The mean hemoglobin levels for children who were smear positive versus smear negative for ascaris or giardia were 9.1 g/dl and 9.6 g/dl, respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION In the urban slums the point prevalence of intestinal parasites is 17.5% in the preschool children. Malnutrition and low hemoglobin levels are also widely prevalent. Urgent remedial steps are needed on community basis to improve their nutritional status and control parasitic infestation.