Prevalence and risk factors for giardiasis among primary school children in Damascus, Syria

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of giardiasis in primary school children in Damascus city and the countryside, and to investigate the possible risk factors for giardiasis infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on school children from 23 primary schools in Damascus, between March and June 2006. Data were collected from 1469 children of both genders from urban and rural regions using structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory analysis of fecal samples. The parasites were detected using a single-stool sample by direct wet examination under light microscope. RESULTS: Two hundred and six (14%) of 1469 children were infected with Giardia lamblia, while 119 (8.1%) were found infected with other sorts of intestinal parasites. No correlation was found between giardiasis and age, gender, residence in urban or rural areas, availability of piped water or sewage system. In contrast, both mother's (p=0.003) and father's (p=0.018) levels of education, and the number of siblings in-home (p=0.014) were found significant predictors of giardiasis. As for children's nutritional status, 6.6% were found to have significant stunting, 1.8% had underweight, and 4.7% had wasting. Giardiasis, however, was not found a predictor of these conditions. CONCLUSION: The Damascus region could be classified as medium-prevalence area for Giardia infections. Thus, the local administrators need to pay more attention to the prevention of parasitic infections along with improvement in education, environmental, and sanitary conditions.     

吉林省成年人超重和肥胖的流行病学特征及影响因素调查分析

目的：调查2012年吉林省成年人超重和肥胖的患病情况,分析其分布规律及相关影响因素。方法：采用多阶段分层随机整群抽样的方法,采取调查问卷和体格检查相结合的方式,共收集吉林省32个调查县（市、区）18~79岁常住居民20　839人的有效数据。以体质指数（BMI）作为超重、肥胖的判定指标。样本经过复杂加权后,统计描述吉林省成年人超重（24≤BMI<28）、肥胖（BMI≥28）的患病率,分析不同人群中超重、肥胖的分布,探讨体质量超标（BMI≥24）的相关影响因素。结果：2012年吉林省成年人超重率为32.3%（男性34.3%,女性30.2%;城市32.9%,农村31.6%）;肥胖率为14.6%（男性16.3%,女性12.8%;城市14.6%,农村14.6%）;吉林省成年男性超重率及肥胖率均高于女性（P<0.001）,但城乡间超重率和肥胖率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。多因素分析,男性、45~55岁、已婚或离异、其他职业、既往吸烟、饮酒和肉食为主饮食者更容易发生体质量超标;而吸烟、素食为主饮食、睡眠时间超过7 h者不容易发生体质量超标（P<0.05）。结论：与2010年全国、吉林省调查结果比较,2012年吉林省成年人超重、肥胖患病率增高,体质量超标的影响因素包括性别、年龄、婚姻状况、职业性质、吸烟、饮酒、饮食习惯和睡眠时间,提示应根据相关影响因素进一步加大宣传教育力度,切实有效地预防和控制超重、肥胖的发生。     

Comparison of iron and hematological indices in Giardia lamblia infection before and after treatment in 102 children in Ahwaz, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Up to now there have been few reports about hematological alterations induced by Giardia lamblia infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of giardiasis treatment on hematological indices in children in the Khuzestan area by comparing these indices before and after treatment with metronidazole. MATERIAL/METHODS: One hundred two children ranging in age from 5 to 11 years infected with Giardia lamblia between July 2002 and July 2003 and without histories of other diseases were selected from kindergartens and primary schools in the city of Ahwaz. Diagnosis was based on stool examination. The children were treated with metronidazole (15 mg/kg/day for 5 days); hematological values were determined immediately before treatment and repeated 40-45 days after beginning treatment and compared. RESULTS: Iron deficiency anemia was found in 26.5% of the Giardia-infected children. Mean serum hemoglobin, serum hematocrit, serum ferritin, and the ratio of serum iron to total iron-binding capacity were increased (P<0.0001) and mean red-cell distribution width and iron-binding capacity were decreased after treatment (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Treating giardiasis in children with metronidazole improves iron indices and it appears that in evaluating anemia one should rule out giardiasis and treat it in asymptomatic cases to aid in better health status in pediatrics.     

甘肃省武威市儿童和青少年幽门螺杆菌感染状况及菌株特点

目的 对胃癌高发区甘肃省武威市儿童和青少年幽门螺杆菌(Hp)感染状况进行横断面调查.方法 采用随机抽样方法对武威市938名3～18岁儿童和青少年以及96户家庭进行Hp粪便抗原检测;采用Hp蛋白质印迹法对经Hp粪便抗原枪测阳性的80名儿童和青少年进行Hp毒力蛋白分析.结果 武威市儿童及青少年Hp感染率为72.3%(678/938),Hp感染率各年龄组差异无统计学意义.Hp感染可能与居住地区、父母职业、饮水来源、是否上过幼儿园、是否生吃蔬菜、是否刷牙及断奶时间相关.多因素回归分析提示,饮水来源、上过幼儿园、生吃蔬菜是Hp感染的危险因素.Hp阳性标引者家庭其他成员Hp感染率82.3%(121/147)显著高于Hp阴性标引者家庭其他成员的Hp感染率47.4%(18/38)(X~2=19.736 P＜0.05).Ⅰ型Hp感染率为71.3%(57/80),Ⅱ型Hp感染率为28.7%(23/80).结论 武威市儿童和青少年具有较高的Hp感染率,Hp感染存在家庭聚集现象,武威市儿童及青少年Hp感染以Ⅰ型感染为主.     

Hepatitis C in childhood

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is relatively low in childhood. Blood transfusion has been the principal route of acquisition in children but vertical transmission is gradually occupying primacy in the developed world. The risk of vertical transmission increases with higher maternal viraemia and human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) co-infection but current international guidelines do not suggest avoidance of vaginal delivery and breastfeeding to minimise the risk of vertical transmission. The diagnosis of perinatal transmission is different from that in older child or adult and detection of HCV-RNA is essential. Although the natural history of HCV infection in children is not well characterised, almost 50-80% will progress to chronic hepatitis among vertically infected and blood transfusion acquired hepatitis C cases. Children have a lower viral load, lower ALT values and milder histological derangement as compared to adults with chronic hepatitis C cases. Experience of treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children is limited and still evolving. Few patients achieve spontaneous remission and progression to a more severe liver disease might occur in adult life. Here, the natural history, diagnosis and management of HCV infection in children are discussed with special emphasis on features which are different from adults.     

Intestinal parasites in metropolitan Toronto day-care centres.

In 1981, 900 children (aged 3 months to 10 years) and 146 staff attending 22 day-care centres in metropolitan Toronto chosen at random provided a stool specimen in a survey for intestinal parasites. Of the children, 4% to 36% were infected in 20 of 22 centres. Overall, 19% of the children and 14% of the staff had intestinal parasites: 8.6% and 4.0% respectively had Dientamoeba fragilis, and 7.8% and 2.0% respectively had Giardia lamblia. The highest prevalence of dientamebiasis was in the 7- to 10-year-olds, whereas giardiasis was detected most frequently in the 6-year-olds. Infection with intestinal parasites was not correlated with age, sex, duration in the day-care centre, dog ownership, travel history, gastrointestinal symptoms or the proportion of children in the day-care centre who were born in less developed countries. Immigrant children and children of parents born in industrialized countries (including Canada) were more likely to be infected than were children born in Canada of parents from the developing world. Dientamebiasis was associated with cat ownership. Thus, intestinal protozoa--in particular, D. fragilis and G. lamblia--are endemic in Toronto day-care centres.     

Giardiasis and other intestinal parasitic infections in a Manitoba residential school for the mentally retarded.

A case of severely symptomatic giardiasis in a school for the mentally retarded prompted an epidemiologic survey of the institution. The rate of parasitic infection in the children were just under 50%. Multiple infections were common and one child harboured five different protozoa. The yield included known pathogens (Giardia lamblia, Metorchis conjunctus and Diphyllobothrium sp.), protozoa of potential pathogenicity (Dientamoeba fragilis) and other protozoa, the significance of which has yet to be determined. The prevalence of G. lamblia in the index ward was significantly higher than in a control ward matched for age and mobility of the children. The epidemiologic data suggested person-to-person transmission of G. lamblia within the institution. Recommendations for the control of protozoal intestinal infections in custodial institutions are presented.     

应用国际糖尿病联盟标准分析南阳市干部人群代谢综合征患病率

目的分析南阳市干部人群按国际糖尿病联盟（IDF）建议诊断的代谢综合征（MS）及其组分的患病率和特点。方法选取参加健康体检的南阳市干部人群3248例,依据2005年IDF推荐的有关亚太人的MS标准诊断MS并进45MS组分分类。结果MS总标化患病率为8．62％,其中男8．66％,女8．76％;MS及其组分的患病率均随着年龄的增长而增高,男性在35岁以上、女性在45岁以上进入MS高发年龄;65岁以上老年人MS患病率显著升高;有1种以上代谢异常占74.08％,有2种代谢异常占27．77％,有3种或3种以上代谢异常为14.75％。结论南阳市干部人群MS及其相关组分异常患病率高。     

新疆克拉玛依市和浙江丽水市35岁以上汉族人群鼾症流行病学调查

目的:调查新疆克拉玛依市区及浙江丽水市区35岁以上汉族人群鼾症的患病率,并分析其相关危险因素.方法 采用整群抽样的方法,于2007年4-12月对新疆克拉玛依市区及浙江丽水市区35岁以上汉族常住居民进行入户睡眠问卷调查.睡眠问卷采用柏林国际睡眠问卷结合Epworth嗜睡量表评分整合而成.结果 调查人数为2 171人,其中克拉玛依市区1 018人,浙江丽水市区1 153人,有效问卷2 138份(有效率为91.1%).克拉玛依市区汉族人群鼾症患病率为59.6%,浙江丽水市汉族人群鼾症患病率为39.9%,中、重度鼾症患病率分别为33.5%和8.8%,60岁之前打鼾患病率随年龄增加而增加,鼾症患病率随体重质数(BMI)、颈围、腹围的增加而增加.结论 鼾症患病率存在地区差异,克拉玛依市区35岁以上汉族人群鼾症患病率高于浙江丽水市区,年龄、性别、体重指数、颈围、腹围、ESS评分是鼾症的危险因素.     

Strongyloides fuelleborni kellyi and other intestinal helminths in children from Papua New Guinea: associations with nutritional status and socioeconomic factors

This survey examined the prevalence and intensity of Strongyloides fuelleborni kellyi and other intestinal helminths in children 5 years of age or under living near Kanabea, Papua New Guinea. Of 179 samples, 27% of the children tested positive for Strongyloides, with 81% of these children being a year or less in age. Overall, 68% of the children had one or more infections including Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm (Necator americanus) as well as Strongyloides. Egg counts in the stools ranged from 100 to 98,300 eggs/ml for Strongyloides, 100 to 59,200 eggs/ml for Ascaris and 100 to 3400 eggs/ml for hookworm. There were significant associations between Strongyloides intensity and weight for age and weight for height such that children with higher intensities had, on average, lower z-scores. Relationships between the prevalence of helminth infections and socioeconomic factors were also observed. Logistic regression models showed that children living farther away from Kanabea (more than 2 hours' walking distance), in smaller households (5 or less people) and with uneducated mothers best predict children with Strongyloides. Two of these variables also predicted the presence of hookworm: maternal education and household size. However, in contrast to Strongyloides, a larger household size (6 or more people) was significantly associated with the presence of hookworm. House type was associated with the prevalence of Ascaris, with children living in houses with tin roofs being less likely to have Ascaris than those living in traditional houses. In addition, maternal education was associated with Ascaris intensity in those children with infection, such that the mean intensities were greater in children of uneducated mothers.     

Thyroid nodules in the population living around Chernobyl.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the baseline incidence, prevalence, and characteristics of thyroid nodules in the population living around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and to compare the findings with unexposed populations. DESIGN--Prevalence study. Population samples from seven highly contaminated villages were compared with six nearby control villages of the same size and type. The data were obtained as part of the International Chernobyl Project conducted in 1990. SETTING--The study was conducted 4.5 years after the Chernobyl reactor accident that released large quantities of radionuclides, including radioiodine. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS--Population samples of approximately 100 persons residing in both highly contaminated villages and control villages since the accident were compared. Individuals were selected on the basis of birth date as being 5, 10, 40, or 60 years old at the time of the study. All persons selected underwent a thyroid examination. INTERVENTIONS--None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Two main outcome measures were used, both for thyroid nodularity: clinical palpation and high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS--There was no significant difference in thyroid nodularity between the study groups. Nodules were palpated in 0.7% of children and 2.9% of adults. Discrete nodules were found by ultrasonography in 0.5% of children and 14.9% of adults. Multinodular goiter was found in 3% of adults. Nodules were more common in females. CONCLUSIONS--Four and a half years after the Chernobyl accident, the incidence, prevalence, and characteristics of thyroid nodules were the same in population samples from both highly contaminated and control settlements and similar to results reported for unexposed populations in other countries.     

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Vietnamese children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Vietnamese children and adolescents living in Perth, Western Australia. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A list of Vietnamese households was drawn from Perth telephone directories. A computer program generated a systematic probability sample of households. All children and adolescents aged 9-17 in these households were invited to participate in the study. Children and their parents were interviewed in their home using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, version 2.3 (DISC-2.3). The child version (DISC-C) was used for children and the parent version (DISC-P) for adults. The study was conducted between July and December 1997. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, based on DISC-C and DISC-P data. RESULTS: Results were based on the 519 children (89.2%) for whom complete data were available. Twenty-three parents (4.4%) reported that their child had one or more disorders on the DISC-P, 82 children (15.8%) reported one or more disorders on the DISC-C, and 18.3% of children were reported to have a disorder on either the DISC-C or the DISC-P. Parent-child concordance on specific diagnoses was very low (0.6%). The great majority of disorders reported were anxiety disorders, especially simple and social phobias. CONCLUSIONS: The combined prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Vietnamese children aged 9-17 was similar to that found among children in Western Australia's general population. Vietnamese children in our study were much more likely to report symptoms of a psychiatric disorder than were their parents.     

中山市农村成年居民对贫血知信情况及其就医意向分析

目的：探讨中山市农村居民贫血患病情况及居民对贫血的知一信情况。方法：对中山市两个镇5150名成年居民（〉18岁）进行健康调查,对健康体检资料（包括血常规分析）进行回顾性研究,分析该地区农村居民贫血患病情况、居民对贫血的知一信及就医意向情况。结果：该两镇农村居民贫血的总患病率为16．2％,女性患病率（18．9％）高于男性（14．8％）（P〈O．05）。对贫血认知方面,正确回答贫血的症状、病因和预防方法的比例分别为95．1％、77．3％、29．O％。就医意向方面,有64．7％的居民表示患病时首选社区卫生服务机构就医,首选社区卫生机构就诊的最主要原因是距离近就诊方便（占50．2％）,而不愿意首诊在社区的最主要原因是认为社区卫生机构人员素质不高（53％）。结论：中山农村居民贫血的患病率略低于中国居民贫血患病率,居民对贫血的知信情况和就医意向有待提高,应加强农村居民贫血的健康教育工作、积极开展社区居民贫血的规范化管理。     

Recent changes in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among children and adults in high- or low-incidence regions of gastric cancer in China

Background The prevalence of Helicobacterpylori （H. pylon） infection varies by geographic locations. Studies indicate that the infection rate of H. pylori was previously high in China but that rates had been declining worldwide over recent decades. The aims of our study were： （1） to determine the current prevalence of H. pylori infection among children and adults residing in areas with high （Muping County, Shandong） and low （Yanqing County, Beijing） incidences of gastric cancer in China, and （2） to compare the prevalence for 2006 with the prevalence for the early 1990s. Methods Using Warthin-Starry silver staining of gastric mucosal biopsy specimens and H. pylori stool antigen tests （HpSA）, we tested a total of 2065 asymptomatic children aged 8-15 years and adults aged 40-79 years in the above two regions from May to July 2006. We evaluated 520 children and 526 adults from Muping, and 516 children and 503 adults from Yanqing. Subjects were selected randomly and H. pylori status was determined by HpSA in children and either HpSA or histology of gastric biopsies in adults. Data obtained in the early 1990s in the same two areas of China were also collected and studied. Results For children, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher in Muping （37.69%） than it was in Yanqing （25.58%, P〈0.001）. In both regions, the prevalence of H. pyloriincreased with age but was not related to gender A significant difference was observed between 8-9-years old and 10-11-years old （P 〈0.05）, but not between other adjoining age groups （P 〉0.05）. From 1991 to 2006 H. pylori prevalence among 8-10-year-old children decreased in Muping （60.00% vs 32.07%, P 〈0.001）, but not Yanqing （24.06% vs 19.10%, P 〉0.05）. In the adult group, H. pylori prevalence was 50.95% in Muping, which was significantly higher than the 41.35% positive rate in Yanqing （P 〈0.01）. But there were no statistically significant differences between different age groups of 40-49, 50-59, and 60-79 years, or between males and females. A significant decrease in H. pylori prevalence in both regions was observed when the results of 2006 were compared with the data obtained in 1990 in Muping （50.95% vs 73.78%, P 〈0.001） and in 1992 in Yanqing （41.35% vs 55.35%, P〈0.01）. Conclusions After fifteen years, the prevalence of H. pylori infection among both children and adults remained significantly higher in areas with a high incidence of gastric cancer in China compared with that in areas with a low incidence of gastric cancer. H. pylori infection rates have decreased in the general Chinese population during recent years.     

睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者的相关危险因素分析

目的:调查克拉玛依市区35岁以上汉、维吾尔族鼾症人群睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(SAHS)的发病率及其相关危险因素,为该病的防治提供依据。方法:采用整群抽样的方法对克拉玛依市区3个社区35岁以上常住居民进行入户鼾症问卷调查,对1121例鼾症人群进行夜间睡眠呼吸监测。其中汉族582例,维族539例。结果:克拉玛依市区35岁以上习惯性鼾症患者中汉族SAHS患病率为26.7%,维吾尔族为15.3%。SAHS患病率随年龄的增加而增加、汉、维吾尔族男女性SAHS患病率均随腹围的增加而增加.维吾尔族SAHS患病率随颈围的增加而增加。体质量指数正常或超重的鼾症患者中SAHS患病率汉族高于维吾尔族(18.0%比5.9%和19.4比8.6%)(P<0.01),维吾尔族肥胖患者中SAHS患病率高于汉族(17.8%比14.6%)(P<0.01)。结论:克拉玛依市区35岁以上鼾症人群SAHS患病率存在民族差异,汉族高于维吾尔族,年龄、腹围、打鼾、民族、性别是睡眠呼吸暂停低通气的主要危险因素。     

RJR Nabisco's cartoon camel promotes camel cigarettes to children

OBJECTIVES--To determine if RJR Nabisco's cartoon-theme advertising is more effective in promoting Camel cigarettes to children or to adults. To determine if children see, remember, and are influenced by cigarette advertising. DESIGN--Use of four standard marketing measures to compare the effects of Camel's Old Joe cartoon advertising on children and adults. SUBJECTS--High school students, grades 9 through 12, from five regions of the United States, and adults, aged 21 years and over, from Massachusetts. OUTCOME MEASURES--Recognition of Camel's Old Joe cartoon character, product and brand name recall, brand preference, appeal of advertising themes. RESULTS--Children were more likely to report prior exposure to the Old Joe cartoon character (97.7% vs 72.2%; P less than .0001). Children were better able to identify the type of product being advertised (97.5% vs 67.0%; P less than .0001) and the the Camel cigarette brand name (93.6% vs 57.7%; P less than .0001). Children also found the Camel cigarette advertisements more appealing (P less than .0001). Camel's share of the illegal children's cigarette market segment has increased from 0.5% to 32.8%, representing sales estimated at $476 million per year. CONCLUSION--Old Joe Camel cartoon advertisements are far more successful at marketing Camel cigarettes to children than to adults. This finding is consistent with tobacco industry documents that indicate that a major function of tobacco advertising is to promote and maintain tobacco addiction among children.     

Asthma morbidity in Australia: an epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and management of asthma in adults and children in a population sample in eastern Australia. SETTING: A random sample of children from 33 primary schools in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Upper Hunter Valley (New South Wales), and their parents. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analytic survey of 8753 primary school children aged between 5 and 12 years, and their parents (n = 13,945 adults). Asthma prevalence and management practices were determined by parental responses to a questionnaire, and spirometry was performed in children with "probable asthma". RESULTS: Of 8753 children whose parents responded, the prevalence of current wheeze was 19.5% and diagnosed asthma was 17.1%. Of the children with "probable asthma", 30% had their lung function measured in the previous year, and 6% possessed both a peak flow meter and an action plan for their asthma. Undertreatment was likely, as preventive asthma medications (inhaled corticosteroids or sodium cromoglycate) were used regularly by only 25.5% of these children and by 44.3% of children who had asthma symptoms more than twice per week. Children with the diagnosis of asthma reported higher rates of preventive medication use and ventilatory function measurement than children with frequent symptoms without the diagnosis. In the 13,945 adults, the reported prevalence of asthma was 7%, of whom 39% were using preventive medications, 34% had their ventilatory function assessed in the previous year, and 7% had both a peak flow meter and an asthma action plan. CONCLUSIONS: The study illustrated the gap between the current level of asthma management in the community and the standards set by the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand. Undertreatment and suboptimal management of asthma remain important problems in Australia.     

Prevalence of otitis media in school going children in Eastern Nepal

Objectives: To find out the prevalence of otitis media in school going children from lower socio-economic strata. Material and methods: This study was carried out in a government school, Shree Naragram Secondary School in Morang district, eastern Nepal, and included 1050 children aged between 5-15 years. Results: Of the 1050 school children, 346 children were found to have various ENT related problems. Hearing assessment revealed a conductive hearing loss on one or both sides in 114 cases (87%). Various middle ear pathologies were detected in these children, out of which chronic suppurative otitis media "Tubotympanic type" was the most common, followed by otitis media with effusion. The prevalence of otitis media in these children was found to be13.2% and those with hearing loss comprised 12.47%. Prevalence of otitis media is found to be much higher in school going children as compared to adults, and is even higher amongst children belonging to the lower socio-economic strata. Conditions complicating otitis media are more common and severe in children as compared to adults. Conclusion: Primary ear care education to teachers, students and guardians can prevent these vulnerable children from developing hearing impairment. School based study could be one of the useful and cost-effective modality aimed at community oriented program. Key words: otitis media, Prevalence.     

Cluster of Haemophilus influenzae type b infections in adults

Haemophilus influenzae type b commonly causes illness in young children, among whom transmission is known to occur. Most adults are believed to be immune to H influenzae type b and outbreaks of disease among adults appear to be uncommon. From July 14 to Aug 12, 1985, a cluster of six cases of acute febrile illness with cultures positive for H influenzae, biotype II (five cases) or untyped H influenzae (one case), occurred among adults in a nursing home and an adjoining hospital. All six case-patients had personal contact with at least one other case-patient. Among the 46 nursing home residents, men were more likely than women to become ill (44% vs 0%). This cluster of disease suggests that elderly adults may be more susceptible to H influenzae infection than is generally recognized and that outbreaks among adults may result from person-to-person transmission.     

Giardiasis-associated arthralgia in children

BACKGROUND: Giardiasis is the most common intestinal parasitosis in Mexico. Usual symptoms of the acute infection are diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss. Children are more frequently affected than adults. Various extra-intestinal manifestations have been reported, among which are arthritis and arthralgia. METHODS: A series of 10 children with arthralgia and cysts of Giardia lamblia in feces seen during 13 years of private practice were presented. Ages ranged between 5 and 11 years, and 70% of the children are males. RESULTS: The joints involved in all cases were the knee and the ankle. No joint flogosis or changes in local temperature were observed. Other associated symptoms were abdominal pain (100%), abdominal distension (70%), flatulence (50%), less consistent stools (50%), anemia (30%), and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (60%). C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor were negative in all cases. Arthralgia disappeared after treatment with metronidazole when coproparasitoscopic analyses were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Arthralgia associated with giardiasis in children is a rare entity, relatively benign, and leaves no sequelae.