Impact of Enterobius vermicularis infection on some blood parameters in children from Hilla City

Enterobiasiss is a gastrointestinal infection caused by the intestinal helminthic parasite E. vermicularis. Compared to adults, children are more prone to infection. The research aimed to investigate the rate of E. vermicularis infection in children in Hilla City according to specific blood parameters and demographic characteristics. This investigation involved 180 children, consisting of 90 males and 90 females. The Scotch tape identified an infection in the children, who ranged in age from 2 to 12. Samples were collected using standard methods. Biochemical and hematological tests were performed to evaluate hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cells, total protein, albumin, and serum iron levels on venous blood samples. According to the results, children under the age of eight had the largest number, while those over ten had the lowest. Results showed that the most common clinical symptom was anal itching, 58.5% (31/53), followed by abdominal pain, 41.5% (22/53), and then loss of appetite, 28.3% (15/53). The symptoms of sleep disturbances and the normal symptoms were less common, appearing in 10 and 8 cases. The findings indicated that hemoglobin levels were severely impacted by pinworm infection and that there was a significant difference between the infected and non-infected groups. Hemoglobin levels were lower in the infected group in contrast to the control group; approximately 60.3% of infected children had hemoglobin levels below normal (mild anemia). Hematocrit values were reduced in the infected group compared to the control, significantly. Serum iron is lower in the infected group compared to the control. Total protein content in blood and albumin was slightly but significantly reduced in infected children.