Giardiasis in Childhood and Its Effects on the Small Intestine

• Published in: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Vol. 2; no. 3; pp. 472 - 477
• Main Authors: Jové, Silvia, Fagundes‐Neto, Ulysses, Wehba, Jamal, Machado, Nelson Lourenço., Silva Patrício, Francy Reis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.08.1983
• Subjects: Giardiasis; Metronidazole; Small bowel; Tropical enteropathy
• ISSN: 0277-2116; 1536-4801
• DOI: 10.1002/j.1536-4801.1983.tb08529.x

The effects of Giardia lamblia on small bowel function were studied. Thirty‐three asymptomatic children were studied before and after treatment with metronidazole (Nimorazol®). Patients had a small intestinal biopsy, bile salt determinations, and the following absorptive tests: D‐xylose, triglyceride, and lactose and sucrose tolerance tests. Before treatment, 87% had unconjugated bile salts in duodenal fluid but afterwards only 60% did. Small bowel biopsy changes did not correlate with the pre‐ and posttreatment periods. Triglyceride absorption showed significant differences between patients at different periods of the study; D‐xylose absorption did not reveal differences between the periods of the study but was significantly impaired when compared with controls. Lactose malabsorption was detected in 56% and sucrose in 7% of the patients. G. lamblia may have some pathogenic role, although nonspecific to intestinal function. It probably acts more in a synergistic way with other pathogenic agents that inhabit the intestinal lumen of children living under unfavorable conditions producing the picture of tropical enteropathy.