Estado nutricional y parasitosis intestinales en niños residentes en zonas urbana, periurbana y rural del partido de Brandsen (Bueno Aires, Argentina)

Abstract

RESUMEN El presente estudio tuvo como objeto analizar el estado nutricional y las parasitosis intestinales en niños de 3 a 6 años de edad, residentes en zonas urbanas (U), periurbanas (PU) y rurales (R) del partido de Brandsen. La muestra quedó constituida por 600 niños (302 varones y 298 mujeres). Los valores P85#P95 definieron sobrepeso y >P95 obesidad. Se tomaron muestras de materia fecal seriada y escobillado anal que fueron analizadas mediante técnicas de concentración por sedimentación (Ritchie) y flotación (Willis). Los datos fueron asociados con las características socioambientales de cada zona. PU presentó prevalencias de baja talla para la edad y parasitosis significativamente mayores que U (p85th #95th percentiles defined overweight and BMI >95th percentiles defined obesity. Faecal samples and anal brushed were collected. The sedimentation (Ritchie) and flotation (Willis) techniques were used. Data were associated with socio-environmental characteristics of each area. Prevalence of low-height-for-age children and intestinal parasites were significantly higher in PU than in U (p<0.01). Seven parasitic species in U, eight in PU and four in R were found. Enterobius vermicularis, Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia were the most common species found. Periurban area also showed the higher prevalences of poliparasitism. All the areas harbored children with high body weight but overweight and obesity were significantly higher in periurban and rural children than the urban ones (p<0.01). The coexistence of undernutrition and overweight may be linked with changes in feeding practices and life styles of populations in the context of the nutritional transition. Periurban area has the worst social and environmental conditions for growth and health in preschool children.