烟台市362例学龄前儿童生长发育Z评分与身体素质现状及其相互关系

目的：探讨烟台市学龄前儿童生长发育Z评分、身体素质状况以及Z评分与身体素质间的关系，为儿童保健工作提供科学依据。方法：以2010年国民体质监测烟台地区幼儿组资料中3～4岁儿童362人为研究对象，计算年龄别体重、年龄别身高、年龄别体重指数三项Z评分，及Z评分与身体素质间进行Pearson相关分析。结果：Z评分均值均为正值，低体重、生长迟缓的发生率极低，但肥胖发生率较高（4岁男童高达16.5%）；儿童的身体素质存在年龄和性别差异（P＜0.05）；Z评分与部分身体素质指标间存在一定相关关系（P＜0.05），但密切程度不高（r值均未超过0.30）。结论：烟台市学龄前儿童生长发育Z评分保持在较高水平；儿童身体素质与年龄和性别有关；Z评分与部分身体素质间有低度相关关系。应采取积极措施调整儿童饮食习惯、加强体育锻炼，预防肥胖、提高身体素质。     

营养不良性生长迟缓生长追赶的相关因素分析

目的　了解营养不良性生长迟缓儿生长追赶的影响因素。方法　观察２８ 例营养不良性生长迟缓儿，在调整营养供应后至少４ 个月的身高体重增长与基础体格指标、骨龄和遗传因素的关系。结果　身高Ｚ评分增长与身高别体重Ｚ评分增长正相关（ Ｐ＜ ０－０１） ，与基础身高别体重Ｚ评分负相关（ Ｐ＜ ０－０１） ，与基础骨龄正相关（ Ｐ＜ ０－０５）；与年龄及遗传身高Ｚ评分不相关。体重Ｚ评分增长与基础身高别体重Ｚ评分负相关（ Ｐ＜ ０－０１） ，与骨龄正相关（ Ｐ＜０－０１）。身高增长速度可超过其年龄应有生长能力。部分患儿恢复期仍有高生长激素血症（ 营养不良所致促生长素轴代谢代偿重整状态的持续）。结论　对营养不良性生长迟缓应尽早供给足够热量和蛋白，以充分利用促生长素轴的代谢代偿转为促生长效应，获得最大追赶。     

兰州市城区3~6岁儿童2001~2010年体格发育变化趋势分析

目的：调查分析兰州市城区3~6岁儿童2001~2010年的体格发育变化趋势。方法：依据该地地理、社会功能区特征、参考幼儿园公私立等性质,采用分层随机整群抽样的方法,选取35所幼儿园儿童在2001、2006及2010年的体检资料。以身高、体重及体重指数（BMI）为主要指标分析其变化趋势。以Z评分,即年龄别身高（HAZ）、年龄别体重（WAZ）和身高别体重（WHZ）3项指标筛查其生长迟缓、低体重、超重、消瘦和肥胖情况并分析变化趋势。结果：该人群在同年龄段身高、体重、BMI等数值有逐年增长趋势（P<0.05）;且在同一检测年份中该人群身高和体重随年龄增长而增长,BMI随年龄增长呈逐渐减小趋势;Z评分分析发现3项指标平均值逐年增加（P<0.05）,低体重、生长迟缓和消瘦的平均患病率逐年下降,而超重和肥胖平均患病率则逐年上升。结论：兰州市城区3~6岁儿童2001~2010年间体格发育变化明显,身高、体重呈增长趋势,生长迟缓、低体重、消瘦等体格发育问题在逐渐改善,但也出现如超重、肥胖等新的体格发育障碍问题。提示应在注重营养不良问题改善的同时高度关注营养过剩的体格发育障碍问题。     

幼年特发性关节炎患儿生长发育状况及生长迟缓影响因素的病例对照研究

目的:了解幼年特发性关节炎（JIA）患儿生长发育状况和生长迟缓的影响因素。方法:病例对照研究,以JIA治疗随访中身高Z值(HAZ)＜-2 SD为生长迟缓组,HAZ≥-2 SD为生长正常组,通过问卷调查考察JIA患儿治疗中生长发育的影响因素,通过自制调查问卷采集基本情况、疾病史、饮食情况、生活习惯和家庭情况5个方面21个问题,风湿科医生在门诊对JIA患儿行诊断和治疗随访的同时,儿童保健科医生随诊中以面对面询问方式行问卷调查,并行体格测量。对调查问卷的问题行起病年龄、症状体征、缓解病情药物、确诊间隔、病程、父母亲文化程度和父母亲工作的整合,通过单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析JIA患儿生长迟缓的危险因素。结果:2018年9月至2019年4月符合纳入排除标准的221例JIA患儿进入本文分析,其中男103例（46.6%）,平均年龄（7.8±3.7）岁,全身型58例、RF（-）多关节型16例、RF（+）多关节型36例、少关节型108例、点附着型2例、银屑病型1例。糖皮质激素（GCs）治疗88例,生物制剂治疗72例,其他治疗61例。33例（14.9%）合并生长迟缓,少关节型、全身型、多关节型的HAZ分别为-0.34 SD、-1.53 SD和-0.80 SD。单因素分析结果显示,影响JIA患儿线性生长的因素包括疾病亚型、病程、疾病活动度、GCs治疗、挑食和户外活动时间少（P＜0.05）;多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,GCs治疗（OR=7.227,95%CI：1.877~27.817）、病程≥3年（OR=4.278,95%CI：1.322~13.843）和户外活动＜1 h（OR=4.078,95%CI：1.252~13.288）是JIA患儿生长迟缓的独立影响因素（P均＜0.05）。结论:JIA并发生长迟缓的发生率高,病程长、GCs治疗和户外活动时间少是影响患儿线性生长的危险因素。     

早产儿出院后追赶生长的随访观察及宫外发育迟缓的影响因素

目的 研究早产儿纠正月龄6个月内追赶生长的情况,并分析宫外发育迟缓（EUGR）的影响因素。方法 选取在新生儿重症监护病房治疗后出院的,并建立序贯化定期随访档案且有完整随访记录的早产儿321例,按2015年“早产儿保健工作规范”出院后分组随访标准分为低危早产儿组（n=69）和高危早产儿组（n=252）。采用Z评分法对体重、身长和头围进行评估,分析早产儿纠正月龄6个月内追赶生长情况。并采用多因素logistic回归分析探讨6月龄EUGR发生的危险因素。结果 低危组和高危组两组早产儿体重、身长和头围的Z值 < -2（未达追赶生长）的百分比均随纠正月龄增加而逐渐下降,其中低危组早产儿纠正月龄6个月时体重、身长和头围未达追赶生长的比例分别降为1.4%（1/69）、2.9%（2/69）和 1.4%（1/69）,高危组早产儿相应的比例为1.2%（3/252）、1.6%（4/252）和3.6%（9/252）。高危组纠正6月龄EUGR发生率高于低危组（28.2% vs 15.9%,P=0.039）。多因素logistic回归分析显示,早产儿纠正6月龄EUGR的危险因素包括多胎（OR=2.68,P=0.010）、出生体重较低（<1 000 g：OR=14.84,P < 0.001;1 000~1 499 g：OR=2.85,P=0.005）、宫内发育迟缓（OR=11.41,P < 0.001）,而出生后营养强化可降低EUGR的风险（OR=0.25,P < 0.001）。结论 早产儿多可在纠正月龄6个月内达追赶生长;高危早产儿6月龄EUGR发生率较高;多胎、低出生体重、宫内发育迟缓为早产儿EUGR的危险因素,而出生后合理营养强化可降低早产儿EUGR的发生。     

郑州地区7~12岁儿童血压分布特征

目的：了解郑州地区7~12岁儿童的血压现况。方法按分层整群随机抽样法抽取郑州市3个城区和2个郊区县的5所学校6~13岁在校儿童,测量身高、体质量、腰围、臀围、收缩压(SBP)和舒张压(DBP),对相关数据进行分析。结果调查的7~12岁儿童有效人数为6460人,其中城区3206人(49.63%),郊区县3254人(50.37%);男童3525人(54.57%),女童2935人(45.43%)。男童的SBP(117.86±18.18)mmHg明显高于女童(113.82±13.11) mmHg,差异有统计学意义(t=3.16,P=0.002)。高血压发生率7.52%;其中男童高血压发生率明显高于女童,差异有统计学意义(χ2=9.66, P=0.002);无论男、女童,城区儿童高血压发生率均高于郊区县,差异有统计学意义(χ2=24.15、14.39,P均=0.000)。男童的SBP和DBP,女童SBP均与年龄、身高、体质量、BMI、腰围呈显著正相关(P均<0.01)。结论郑州地区儿童青少年血压的分布特征为男性高于女性,城区高于郊区县,儿童血压与年龄、身高、体质量、BMI、腰围密切相关。     

胆道闭锁Kasai术后自肝生存患儿体格发育Z评分

目的 本研究旨在对胆道闭锁Kasai术后自肝生存患儿的体格发育进行评价,了解胆道闭锁Kasai术后自肝生存患儿营养状况.方法 本研究采用横断面调查方式,于2014年10月至2015年1月对首都医科大学附属北京儿童医院普外科胆道闭锁Kasai术后自肝生存定期门诊复查的96例患儿进行体格测量(身高/身长、体重).采用WHO Anthro Plus 2007软件,计算年龄别身高/身长Z评分(Height for Age Z-score,HAZ)、年龄别体重Z评分(Weight for Age Z-score,WAZ)、身高别体重Z评分(Weight for Height Z-score,WHZ).统计我中心Ksasi术后自肝生存患儿生长迟缓、低体重、消瘦的患病率.采用方差分析或t检验,描述不同分组Z评分结果差异.结果 ①纳入研究的96例Kasai术后自肝生存患儿HAZ、WAZ、WHZ均值分别为-0.38±0.17、0.33±0.17、0.88±0.17;②生长迟缓(HAZ＜-2)患病率为14.58％(14/96),低体重(WAZ＜-2)患病率为5.21％(5/96),消瘦(WHZ＜-2)患病率为3.13％(3/96);③以年龄(月)分组,6～12个月组患儿HAZ、WAZ、WHZ均值均为负值,分别为-0.27±0.12、-0.55±0.37、-0.30±0.25;④以术时年龄(d)分组,＜60 d、60～90 d组患儿的WHZ均值均为正值,分别为1.08±0.27、0.85±0.25,＞90 d组患儿WHZ均值为负值,-0.26±0.24.结论①胆道闭锁Kasai术后自肝生存患儿存在营养不良问题,其中生长迟缓问题更为突出;②6～12个月组患儿HAZ、WAZ、WHZ均值均低于国际标准值(0),并且6～12个月组患儿WAZ、WHZ明显低于13～24个月组和≥25个月组,因此Kasai术后自肝生存患儿婴儿期营养状况尤其值得关注;③术时年龄＞90d组患儿WHZ明显低于＜60d组和60～90d组,所以尽早手术对于提升患儿术后营养状况有帮助.     

先天性心脏病婴儿生长发育状况及其危险因素分析

目的 调查评估先天性心脏病婴儿生长发育状况,探讨其生长落后的发生率及其危险因素.方法 采用Z评分法对2010年8月至2011年8月期间在我科住院行心脏手术的354例先天性心脏病婴儿进行营养状况评估,根据评估结果分为营养不良组及非营养不良组,采用卡方检验及多元回归分析对造成生长发育落后的可能危险因素进行单因素及多因素回归分析.结果 354例中低体重患儿108例(30.5％),经多元回归分析,低出生体重(OR=3.844,P=0.001)、肺动脉高压(OR=5.702,P=0.000)、肺炎(OR=2.161,P=0.005)与其显著相关;生长迟缓患儿62例(17.5％),经多元回归分析,低出生体重(OR=4.137,P=0.000)、肺动脉高压(OR=2.352,P=0.047)、肺炎(OR=3.417.P=0.000)与其显著相关;消瘦患儿95例(26.8％),经多元回归分析,肺动脉高压(OR=2.747,P=0.001)与其显著相关.结论 低出生体重、肺动脉高压、肺炎对先天性心脏病婴儿生长发育可产生显著影响;是否紫绀与小婴儿营养不良无显著相关.     

炎症性肠病初诊患儿营养状况及影响因素分析

目的 探讨初诊炎症性肠病（inflammatory bowel disease,IBD）患儿的营养状况及其影响因素。 方法 对2015年1月—2021年12月于湖南省儿童医院就诊且首次诊断为IBD患儿的临床资料进行回顾性分析。将患儿首次症状出现到IBD确诊的时间位于该研究所有IBD患儿这个时间的上四分位数（P76~P100）者定义为“延迟诊断”。采用多因素logistic回归分析探讨消瘦和生长迟缓的危险因素。 结果 共纳入125例初诊IBD患儿,以克罗恩病为主（91.2%）。消瘦和生长迟缓率分别为42.4%（53例）和7.2%（9例）;贫血患儿比例为77.6%（97例）。31例（24.8%）为延迟诊断,其首次症状出现到IBD确诊时间为366~7 211 d。多因素logistic回归分析显示,延迟诊断是消瘦和生长迟缓的危险因素（分别OR=2.73、4.42,均P<0.05）;年龄与消瘦呈正性关联（OR=1.30,P<0.05）。 结论 IBD初诊患儿营养状况较差,贫血、消瘦及生长迟缓率较高。延迟诊断与IBD患儿营养不良有关。     

甘肃省农村7岁以下儿童营养不良影响因素的调查研究

目的：了解甘肃省农村地区7岁以下儿童营养不良的现状及其影响因素。方法：采用分层随机整群抽样方法抽取甘肃省4个市县农村地区7岁以下9 390名儿童,进行营养状况调查;用logistic多元回归分析儿童营养不良的主要影响因素。结果：在9 390名儿童中,体重低下检出率为3.60%（338例）,生长迟缓为10.56％（992例）,5岁以下儿童消瘦检出率为2.49％（196/7 868）;性别、年龄、出生体重、生活方式、父母文化程度、家庭年收入等是营养不良发生的影响因素。结论：甘肃省农村地区7岁以下儿童的营养不良问题值得重视;要通过发展经济增加家庭年收入以及加强营养教育、提高父母亲文化水平、改善儿童生活方式等综合措施有效降低儿童营养不良患病率。［中国当代儿科杂志,2010,12(12)：950-953］     

Stunting, underweight and wasting among Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme children aged 3-5 years of Chapra, Nadia District, West Bengal, India

This study investigated age and sex variations in height and weight, levels of stunting, underweight and wasting among 533 (254 boys; 279 girls) 3- to 5-year-old rural children of Bengalee ethnicity at 11 Integrated Child Development Services centres of Nadia District, West Bengal, India. Height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height < -2 z-scores were used to evaluate stunting, underweight and wasting, respectively, following the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Guidelines. Results revealed that boys were significantly heavier than girls at age 3 years. Significant age differences existed in mean height and weight in both sexes. Mean z-scores of height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height were lower than those of NCHS for both sexes at all ages. The overall (age and sex combined) rates of stunting, underweight and wasting were 23.9%, 31.0% and 9.4%, respectively. The rate of underweight and wasting was higher among girls (underweight = 35.1%, wasting = 12.2%) compared with boys (underweight = 26.5%, wasting = 6.3%). In general, the frequency of stunting increased with increasing age in both sexes. Based on the World Health Organization classification of severity of malnutrition, the overall prevalence of underweight was very high (>or=30%). The prevalence rates of stunting (20-29%) and wasting (5-9%) were medium. In conclusion, the nutritional status of the subjects is unsatisfactory. There is scope for improvement in the form of enhanced supplementary nutrition.     

Height and weight of urban preschool children in relation to their mothers' educational levels and employment status in Rasht City, northern Iran

This study determined the relationship between anthropometric status of 3-5-year-old urban children and theirs mothers' educational levels and employment status in Rasht City, northern Iran. A total of 1319 children (638 girls and 681 boys) at the ages of 3 and 6 years in all day-care centres in Rasht City were studied, using a cross-sectional design. Height and weight of the children were measured, and data on mothers' educational levels, employment status and duration of any breastfeeding were collected. Height for age, weight for age and weight for height of the children were compared with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference population of the United States, and z-values 12 years of schooling, OR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.08-2.4) had higher relative risk for underweight than children of mothers with an intermediate level of education (5-12 years of schooling). Children of mothers with college education were also more at risk for development of stunting (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.14-4.22). In addition, children of employed mothers were more likely to be underweight (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.05-2.31), stunted (OR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.21-6.35) and wasted (OR = 3.35; 95% CI: 1.21-5.58) than children of non-employed mothers. The relative risk for undernutrition was higher in the children of both less and highly educated mothers compared with children of mothers with an intermediate level of education. Mothers' employment was also negatively related to nutritional status of these children in day-care centres in Rasht City.     

Infant and young child feeding practices and nutritional status in Bhutan

In South Asia, childhood undernutrition persists while overweight is increasing. Internationally recommended infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices promote healthy nutritional status; however, little is known about IYCF in Bhutan, investigated here using 2015 National Nutrition Survey data. WHO/UNICEF IYCF indicators, anthropometry and household socio‐economic status were available for 441 children <24 months. Stunting, wasting, and underweight prevalence (2) prevalence was 6%. In survey‐design‐adjusted analyses, 52% of mothers of 0‐ to 5‐month olds reported exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), with EBF less common for girls than boys (OR: 0.2 [95% CI: 0.1–0.9]). Although 61% of children were breastfed at 2 years and 75% of children >6 months met a minimum daily meal frequency, only 18% of children 6–23 months met minimum dietary diversity. IYCF was unassociated with risk of stunting, wasting, or underweight, possibly due to relatively low prevalence of anthropometric failure and small sample size. However, currently‐breastfed children were less often overweight [OR: ~0.1 (95% upper limit ≤1.0)]. Neither breastfeeding nor most complementary feeding practices differed by socio‐economic status, but children in the highest two fifth of a wealth index had 7.8 (1.3–46.9) and 5.3 (1.1–25.2) times greater odds than children in the lowest fifth of meeting minimum dietary diversity criteria. Low rates of EBF, given possible protection of breastfeeding against overweight, and inadequate dietary diversity offer evidence to guide future program interventions to improve nutritional status of young children.     

Prevalence of undernutrition in Santal children of Puruliya district, West Bengal

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of undernutrition among the Santal children of Puruliya district of West Bengal. 442 Santal children (216 boys and 226 girls) aged 5-12 years were taken from randomly selected schools of Balarampur and Baghmundi areas of Puruliya. Nutritional status was analyzed by Z-score values according to the height for age, weight for age and weight for height reference data of National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The prevalence of undernutrition among Santal children was as follows: stunting (17.9%), underweight (33.7%) and wasting (29.4%). Severe (below -3 Z-score) stunting, underweight and wasting were found in 4.98%, 7.92% and 9.51% of Santal children, respectively. In girls, prevalence of stunting (21.7%) and wasting (35.8%) was higher in comparison to boys (13.8% stunting and 22.7% wasting).     

Undernutrition among infants less than 6 months of age: an underestimated public health problem in India

In India most childhood nutrition recommendations and interventions are still not focused on infants under 6 months. Secondary data analyses of National Family Health Survey‐3 data from India were analysed to compare the prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight in infants less than 6 months and 6–59 months. Our results revealed that wasting was higher (31%) in infants less than 6 months (P < 0.05) as compared with children between 6 and 59 months. Thirteen per cent of infants less than 6 months had severe wasting, 30% were underweight and 20% were stunted. Most infants (69%) were exclusively breastfed (EB) for the first 2 months, but exclusive breastfeeding dropped to 50% at 2–3 months and to 27% at 4–5 months. There was no statistically significant difference in wasting and stunting in the EB and not exclusively breastfed (NEB) groups. Significantly fewer EB infants were underweight (28%) compared with NEB infants (31%) (P = 0.030). However, among EB children, 29% had wasting and 21% were stunted. Eleven per cent of EB infants were severely underweight, 13% were severely wasted and 9% were severely stunted. Diarrhoea was significantly lower among EB infants compared with NEB infants (P < 0.05). We conclude that infants less than 6 months of age are vulnerable to suffer from acute severe malnutrition irrespective of their breastfeeding status and need to be seriously considered for inclusion in national guidelines for early detection and management of undernutrition.     

Maternal HIV is associated with reduced growth in the first year of life among infants in the Eastern region of Ghana: the Research to Improve Infant Nutrition and Growth (RIING) Project

Children of HIV‐infected mothers experience poor growth, but not much is understood about the extent to which such children are affected. The Research to Improve Infant Nutrition and Growth (RIING) Project used a longitudinal study design to investigate the association between maternal HIV status and growth among Ghanaian infants in the first year of life. Pregnant women in their third trimester were enrolled into three groups: HIV‐negative (HIV‐N, n = 185), HIV‐positive (HIV‐P, n = 190) and HIV‐unknown (HIV‐U, n = 177). Socioeconomic data were collected. Infant weight and length were measured at birth and every month until 12 months of age. Weight‐for‐age (WAZ), weight‐for‐length (WLZ) and length‐for‐age (LAZ) z‐scores were compared using analysis of covariance. Infant HIV status was not known as most mothers declined to test their children's status at 12 months. Adjusted mean WAZ and LAZ at birth were significantly higher for infants of HIV‐N compared with infants of HIV‐P mothers. The prevalence of underweight at 12 months in the HIV‐N, HIV‐P and HIV‐U were 6.6%, 27.5% and 9.9% (P < 0.05), respectively. By 12 months, the prevalence of stunting was significantly different (HIV‐N = 6.0%, HIV‐P = 26.5% and HIV‐U = 5.0%, P < 0.05). The adjusted mean ± SE LAZ (0.57 ± 0.11 vs. ?0.95 ± 0.12; P < 0.005) was significantly greater for infants of HIV‐N mothers than infants of HIV‐P mothers. Maternal HIV is associated with reduce infant growth in weight and length throughout the first year of life. Children of HIV‐P mothers living in socioeconomically deprived communities need special support to mitigate any negative effect on growth performance.     

Prevalence and correlates of malnutrition among children in rural minority areas of China

BACKGROUND: Child growth retardation and malnutrition remain a matter of uttermost public concern in economically disadvantaged areas of China. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition with various anthropometric indices and examine its correlates in a large sample of poor rural minority children. METHODS: A total of 2019 children under 7 years of age belonging to the Hani, Yi, Hui, Miao ethnic minority groups and the Han major group were drawn from four poor rural minority counties in the Yunnan Province of China. Well-trained investigators completed child physical measurements and maternal interviews. Protein-energy malnutrition was defined as being underweight (weight for age), wasting (weight for height) and stunting (height for age) on the basis of reference data from the National Center of Health Statistics (NCHS)/World Health Organization (WHO). RESULTS: The respective prevalence of moderate and severe protein-energy malnutrition was 15.8 and 3.1% for underweight children, 31.8 and 19.2% for stunting and 0.9 and 0.5% for wasting. Stunting was most common in children aged 2 years. Boys were more likely to suffer from malnutrition. Logistic regression analyses showed that lower family income, lower parental height, belonging to the Miao, Yi and Hani ethnic groups compared with Han and poorer maternal child-rearing behavior significantly increased the risk for stunting of children. CONCLUSIONS: Protein-energy malnutrition is relatively high in the rural minority children of China. Chronic socioeconomic underdevelopment and genetic effects, rather than a severe or immediate lack of food, may lead to protein-energy malnutrition.     

Parasitic infestation and nutritional status among schoolchildren in Vientiane, Lao PDR

AIMS: To investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infestation among school-aged children residing in Vientiane capital city; and to assess the impact of its infestation on nutrition status of those children. METHODS: The school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2005 to February 2006. The systemic random samplings were employed to select schools and schoolchildren. Five hundred and thirty-six schoolchildren (350 high-school children and 186 parents of elementary-school children) were completely interviewed by semistructured questionnaire and performed anthropometric measurement. The direct faecal smear was employed to analyse 299 (55.8%) stool samples. The SPSS version 12.01 and Epi Info version 6.0 were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of parasitic infestation was 38.1%, with 18.1% of Opisthorchis viverrini and 14.7% of Ascaris lumbricoides. The prevalences of stunting and underweight were 20.2% and 20.0%, respectively. The prevalences of stunting (OR = 3.28; P < 0.01) and underweight (OR = 2.69; P < 0.05) were higher among high-school children who were infested by intestinal parasites. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of schoolchildren in Vientiane capital city were infested by intestinal parasites. The persistent parasitic infestation seemed to be associated with growth rate pattern among those children. School-based parasite control programme and health promotion are needed to eliminate this major public health problem in Lao People Democratic Republic.