Albendazole therapy reduces serum zinc in elementary school children with Ascaris lumbricoides infections
Abstract: Soil-transmitted
helminth (STH) infection can cause malnutrition and vice versa, and decrease
serum zinc concentrations. No previous studies were found on the effect of STH
treatment on serum zinc concentrations in elementary school children. The
objective of this study was to evalaute the effect of STH treatment on serum
zinc concentration in elementary school children in Jakarta.
Methods
A pre-experimental study (one group pre and post) was conducted on 3rd -
5th grade students in one elementary school in North Jakarta. FLOTAC
examination was used to determine infection status and STH intensity, while
serum zinc concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. All
children were given albendazole 400 mg for three consecutive days. Stool and
blood samples were collected before and three weeks after treatment with
albendazole. A paired t test was used to analyze the data.
Results
The STH prevalence was 63.4%; these were mainly Ascaris lumbricoides and
Trichuris trichiura infections. Before treatment, children infected with
A.lumbricoides and T.trichiura had significantly higher serum zinc
concentrations (p=0.028; p=0.014). After treatment, children with A.lumbricoides
had significantly lower serum zinc concentrations (p=0.039), while children
with T.trichiura had slightly lower serum zinc concentrations (p=0.659) than
before treatment.
Conclusions
Albendazole treatment produces lower serum zinc concentration in elementary
school children with A.lumbricoides infections. A profound understanding of the
interaction between helminth infections and zinc may assist in guiding
integrated and sustainable intervention strategies among affected children
throughout the world.
Keywords: Serum zinc;
albendazole; STH; children
Author: Ria Buana, Jane
Florida Kalumpiu, Yenny Djuardi, Taniawati Supali
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160204
