This study shows that parasite infection in children is still quite common, even in a developed country and that children’s growth and parasitism may be related. Children classified in the lower height Z-scores had a significantly greater prevalence of parasites (30.9%) than the others (p<0.01). living in shacks, and cohabitation with other families (p<0.01). The major risk factors were housing, i.e. A monospecific infection was detected in 30 (81%) out of 37 parasitized children, while the others (19%) presented a polyparasitism. Thirty-seven children (15%) tested positive to parasites of the following species: Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba coli, Giardia duodenalis, Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides and Strongyloides stercoralis. Chi-squared test and binary logistic multiple-regression models were used for statistical analysis. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and parasitological and anthropometric tests were applied. FindingsĪ convenience sample of two hundred and forty seven immigrant children (aged 0–15) attending the Poliambulatorio della Medicina Solidale in Rome was examined. Subsequently, the possible correlation between nutritional status and parasitic infections was also investigated. Due to the limited data available concerning Europe, the aims of the present study were to evaluate the presence of parasites in immigrant children and the risk factors favouring the spread of parasites. Parasitic diseases can represent a social and economic problem among disadvantaged people - even in developed countries.
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