Intestinal parasitic infections are related to micronutrient status and body composition in Mexican school-age children:results from a cross-sectional study

Intestinal parasitic infections remain a significant public health issue, particularly in low-resource settings. They have been linked to poor micronutrient status and body composition, which are critical determinants of child health and development. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between intestinal parasitic infections and micronutrient status, and whether these differ according to the body composition. Serum concentrations of zinc, iron, ferritin, vitamins A, E, C, D, folate, B12 and CRP, were determined in 269 school-aged children from rural Mexico. Infection with soil transmitted helminths (STHs) and intestinal protozoa was screened in a fecal sample. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken. Lower ferritin, zinc and vitamin C concentrations were found in children infected with any STHs or A. lumbricoides compared to parasite-free children (p < 0.05). Children infected with any intestinal protozoa, Endolimax nana or Entamoeba coli had higher concentrations of ferritin and B12 than parasite-free children (p < 0.05). Vitamin E: lipid concentration was higher in children infected with any intestinal protozoa and E. nana. Among the children with high body fat percentage, those infected with STH had lower zinc, and those infected with intestinal protozoa had lower vitamin A than parasite-free children (p < 0.05). STH infection was associated with lower concentrations of ferritin, zinc and vitamin C, whereas intestinal protozoa infection with higher concentrations of ferritin, vitamin E: lipids, and B12. These associations differed according to body fat percentage.