ASCARIASIS, HOOKWORM INFECTION AND SERUM RETINOL AMONGST CHILDREN IN NEPAL

The study reports on the association between serum retinol levels and prevalence of two intestinal helminths in a random sample of 592 child ren, 6-120 months of age. Faecal analyses were performed by Kato thick -smear technique, recording the presence of hookworm and Ascaris lumbr icoides eggs. Serum retinol levels were determined by high pressure li quid chromatography (HPLC) and expressed in mug/dl. The presence of As caris lumbricoides eggs was associated with lower levels of serum reti nol in children below 60 months of age (p < 0.05). The presence of hoo kworm eggs was not associated with lower levels of serum retinol in an y age group. In addition children who received at least one course of mebendazole during the past 12 months recorded higher serum retinol le vels than children who did not receive it (p < 0.01).