A child surrounded by nutritious food, with worm-like shadows suggesting hidden STH infections.

Is Your Child Getting Enough Nutrients? How Worm Infections Impact Kids' Health

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals the concerning link between soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and malnutrition in children. Learn how to protect your kids."

In many parts of the world, especially developing countries, soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, also known as intestinal worm infections, remain a significant public health challenge. These infections are particularly prevalent in rural areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices, impacting the health and development of millions of children.

While a single or mixed STH infection might not be immediately life-threatening, its long-term consequences can be severe. One of the most concerning effects is the impact on a child's nutritional status, hindering their growth, cognitive development, and overall health.

A recent study investigated the correlation between STH infections and malnutrition in children. The findings shed light on the urgent need for preventive measures and treatment strategies to protect vulnerable populations. By understanding the risks and implementing effective interventions, parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals can work together to ensure children receive the nutrients they need to thrive.

Understanding the STH-Malnutrition Connection: What the Research Shows

A child surrounded by nutritious food, with worm-like shadows suggesting hidden STH infections.

The study, conducted in June 2010 in the Karo District of North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, compared the nutritional status of 140 STH-infected children and 141 uninfected children. Researchers collected stool samples and conducted fecal examinations using the Kato-Katz method to diagnose STH infections. They then assessed the children's nutritional status based on the 2000 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) growth charts.

The results revealed a concerning trend: children infected with STH were significantly more likely to suffer from mild to moderate malnutrition compared to their uninfected peers. Furthermore, the study found a correlation between the intensity of the STH infection and the severity of malnutrition. Children with moderate infection intensity experienced more pronounced malnutrition than those with mild infections.

Higher Prevalence: STH infections were highly prevalent, with 64.2% of the children tested positive.
Mixed Infections: Most infected children had mixed infections of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides.
Malnutrition Link: STH-infected children showed significantly higher rates of mild to moderate malnutrition.
Infection Intensity: Malnutrition was more pronounced in children with moderate infection intensity compared to those with mild infections.

These findings underscore the detrimental impact of STH infections on children's nutritional status. Worms interfere with nutrient absorption and increase the body's demand for nutrients, leading to malnutrition and hindering healthy development. The study highlights the importance of addressing STH infections as part of a comprehensive strategy to improve children's health and well-being.

Protecting Your Child: Practical Steps to Prevent and Treat STH Infections

As a parent or caregiver, you can take proactive steps to protect your children from STH infections and ensure they receive the nutrients they need to thrive. Prevention is critical, focusing on promoting good hygiene practices, improving sanitation, and ensuring access to clean water.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.14238/pi55.3.2015.136-41, Alternate LINK

Title: Nutritional Status Of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis-Infected And Uninfected Children

Subject: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Journal: Paediatrica Indonesiana

Publisher: Paediatrica Indonesiana - Indonesian Pediatric Society

Authors: Nelly Simarmata, Tiangsa Sembiring, Muhammad Ali

Published: 2015-06-30

Everything You Need To Know

What are soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, and why are they a concern for children's health?

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, also known as intestinal worm infections, are caused by parasites transmitted through contaminated soil. They are a significant public health concern because they interfere with nutrient absorption and increase the body's demand for nutrients, leading to malnutrition, hindered growth, and impaired cognitive development in children. The infections are especially prevalent in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices. Regular deworming programs and improved sanitation are essential to combatting STH infections and their impact on children's health.

How does the Kato-Katz method help in understanding the impact of worm infections?

The Kato-Katz method is a fecal examination technique used to diagnose soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections by detecting and quantifying worm eggs in stool samples. It played a crucial role in the Karo District study, helping researchers determine the prevalence and intensity of STH infections in children. This information was then correlated with the children's nutritional status, revealing a direct link between STH infection intensity and the severity of malnutrition. The Kato-Katz method is essential for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of deworming programs and other interventions aimed at controlling STH infections.

What practical steps can parents and caregivers take to protect children from soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections?

Parents and caregivers can take several proactive steps to protect children from soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections. These include promoting good hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially before meals and after using the toilet. Ensuring access to clean and safe water sources for drinking and washing is also crucial. Improving sanitation by using proper toilet facilities and preventing open defecation can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Regular deworming medication, as recommended by healthcare professionals, can help eliminate existing worm infections and prevent reinfection. By implementing these measures, parents and caregivers can create a healthier environment for their children and reduce the risk of STH infections.

The study indicated that mixed infections of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides were common. What are the implications of these mixed infections on a child's nutritional status, compared to a single infection?

The study found that most infected children had mixed infections of *T. trichiura* (whipworm) and *A. lumbricoides* (roundworm). Mixed infections can have a more pronounced impact on a child's nutritional status compared to single infections because different types of worms may interfere with nutrient absorption through different mechanisms. For instance, some worms may cause intestinal bleeding, leading to iron deficiency anemia, while others may compete directly for nutrients in the gut. The combined effect of multiple worm species can exacerbate malnutrition and hinder a child's growth and development more severely than a single infection would. Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose and treat all types of STH infections effectively to minimize their cumulative impact on a child's health.

How do the findings from the study in the Karo District of North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, contribute to our understanding of the global impact of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections on child health, and what further research is needed?

The findings from the study in the Karo District of North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, provide valuable evidence supporting the significant global impact of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections on child health, particularly in developing countries with poor sanitation. The study's demonstration of a direct correlation between STH infections and malnutrition underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve children's nutritional status and overall well-being. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of STH infections on cognitive development and educational outcomes, as well as to identify the most cost-effective and sustainable strategies for controlling STH infections in different settings. Additionally, research on the impact of environmental factors, such as climate change and urbanization, on the transmission and prevalence of STH infections is essential for developing comprehensive and adaptive control programs.