[Giardia intestinalis: comparative study of lipid and nitrogen fecal excretions in adults and children with parasites].

10,000 faeces samples-from 9,120 adults and 880 children were examined to evaluate the faecal excretions. Giardia intestinalis was identified in 111 of those samples (84 adults and 27 children). A higher infection rate of G. Intestinalis was observed in child and male adult groups. Nitrogen excretion was evaluated and compared with fat excretion for the first time in the case of giardiasis. When malabsorption was obvious, both fat and nitrogen increased with generally moderate values. The malabsorption was much more frequent among children (88.9%) than among adults (26%) (p less than 0.001). These results could explain the fast settlement and the frequency of growth troubles in childhood. Giardiasis should be systematically and carefully investigated in a malabsorption in the person of a child.