Serum Iron, Zinc and Ferritin in 6 to 12-Year-Old Children with Giardia lamblia Positive and Healthy Children in Urmia City

Ali Fattahi  Bafghi; Mostafa  Gholamrezaei; Mahmoud  Vakili; Kazem  Barzegar; Azita  Eshratkhah; Sayyed Milad  Fakhrae

doi:10.18502/ijpho.v15i4.19634

Ali Fattahi Bafghi Professor of Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Infectious Diseases Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Mostafa Gholamrezaei Assistant Professor of Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Mahmoud Vakili MD, MPH, Associate Professor in Community Medicine, Health Monitoring Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Kazem Barzegar Assistant professor & PhD in TEFL, English Language Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Ira
Azita Eshratkhah MSc of Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Sayyed Milad Fakhrae MSc of Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Ira

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpho.v15i4.19634

Keywords: Ferritin, Giardia lamblia, Iron, Zinc

Abstract

Background: Giardia lamblia is the most common cause of acute non-viral diarrhea worldwide and resides in the small intestine, leading to Steatorrhea, growth and cognitive retardation, and trace element deficiencies. This study aimed to compare serum iron, zinc, and ferritin levels between 6- to 12-year-old children infected with Giardia lamblia and healthy controls in Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran.

Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 35 children infected with Giardia (cases) and 35 healthy children (controls), aged 6–12 years, selected from 325 children referred to health centers in Urmia. Blood samples (5 mL) were collected from all participants and stored for later analysis. Serum concentrations of iron and zinc were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and ferritin levels were assessed by ELISA. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation (SD), and variance, and statistical comparisons were performed. The relationship between serum ferritin and zinc concentrations was evaluated using Student’s t-test.

Results: Serum iron levels were significantly lower in Giardia-infected children compared to healthy controls (P = 0.03). Serum zinc levels were also significantly lower in the infected group (P = 0.001). The mean ferritin level was 59 ± 34 ng/dL in children with Giardia compared to 110 ± 43 ng/dL in the control group, and this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001).

Conclusion: These findings indicate that Giardia lamblia infection in children is significantly associated with lower serum levels of iron, zinc, and ferritin. Early diagnosis and treatment of giardiasis could help prevent nutrient deficiencies and related complications such as growth retardation and impaired immune function. Timely intervention may reduce long-term developmental and health risks in affected children.