Study of the incidence of intestinal and systemic parasitoses in a group of children with handicaps.

A high incidence of parasitic infections was shown by the study of children with physical and psychic handicaps. In 231 children examined we diagnosed 294 parasitic infections as follows: 42 (18.1%) with Giardia intestinalis 6 (2.59%) with Entamoeba histolytica 36 (15.5%) with Hymenolepis nana 21 (9.9%) with Strongyloides stercoralis 16 (6.9%) with Ascaris lumbricoides 92 (39.86%) with Tricocephalus dispar 38 (16.4%) with Enterobius vermicularis 7(3.03%) with Cryptosporidium sp. Also, by immunodiagnosis 29 cases of Toxoplasmosis (12.5%) and 7 cases of Toxocarosis (3.03%) were pointed out. The clinical examination revealed that the main symptoms were troubles of appetite (both anorexia and hyperorexia)-67.9% intestinal transit disorders-48.4% cutaneous rash (4.7%). Two series of specific treatments diminished the incidence at 38% (after the first) and at 28.5% (after the second). By disappearance of the troubles due to the parasitic infections, the state of children with physical and psychic handicaps clinically improved; so, we may consider as a further necessity the screening of all those children for such diseases.