Anemia and hypoalbuminia as an adjunct to soil-transmitted helminthiasis among slum school children in Visakhapatnam, South India.

A longitudinal study was conducted over the period August 1993 to August 1994 on 217 children from a fishing community of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The subjects were aged between 7 and 13 years. Children were screened for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm. Intensity of infection was estimated by the formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Simultaneously, blood samples ware also collected for estimation of hemoglobin and serum proteins using standard techniques. Blood parameters and ova count were monitored both prior to and following treatment with albendazole, administered at a single oral dose of 400 mg/child in November 1993. Post-treatment recordings were done at the end of the second, fourth and fifth months while hemoglobin estimation was also monitored at the ninth month. Study showed a prevalence of 82% with intestinal helminths and a mean hemoglobin level of 9.7 g/dL + 1.7 (5-13 g/dL), with 88% of the children being anemic. Total serum protein level was normal (8.61 ± 1.03 g/dL), with an elevated serum globulin response (4.63 ± 0.88). Post-treatment observations showed the complete expulsion of worms with the significant lowering of globulin levels. However, moderate anemia persisted in the population with gradual improvement by the ninth month. Significant increase in weight was not registered at the end of the fifth month probably coinciding with the rapid establishment of infection. Sex-wise there was no significant deviation from the general trend.