The Prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in Diabetic Children and Its Effect on Blood Components and Ferritin Stores in Al-Shirqat District

Ola Salih Ali and Karam Abdullah Darweesh

Abstract

The incidence of Cryptosporidiosis in children with diabetes and the impact on blood and ferritin stores in Al-Shirqat district Abstract: This study sought to analyze prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis, the effects on blood element and ferritin stores in the diabetic children from Al-Shirqat district. Fifty-five children aged 1–15 years, with Type 1 diabetes were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Cryptosporidium was detected in feces by parasitological and PCR, and blood samples were subjected to hematology measures including hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV) and ferritin. Result: The infected children had significantly lower Hb, RBC, PCV and Fe which indicates high ferritin deficiency anemia between infected groups. There was also significant elevation of white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts revealing activation of the immune response. Platelets in infected (compared to the controls) were greatly decreased. Therefore, the findings indicate significant negative impacts of Cryptosporidiosis on nutritional status and immune system function of diabetic children. Timely diagnosis and treatment of Cryptosporidiosis in children with anemia would prevent them from worsening anemia and compromise immune defenses, the study concluded. More studies are required to examine whether gender is involved and other risk factors present.