@article{fdi:010070013,
  title = {{C}ognitive performance and iron status are negatively associated with hookworm infection in {C}ambodian schoolchildren},
  author = {{K}uong, {K}. and {F}iorentino, {M}arion and {P}erignon, {M}arl{\`e}ne and {C}hamnan, {C}. and {B}erger, {J}acques and {S}inuon, {M}. and {M}olyden, {V}. and {B}urja, {K}. and {P}arker, {M}. and {L}y, {S}. {C}. and {F}riis, {H}. and {R}oos, {N}. and {W}ieringa, {F}ranck},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}oil-transmitted helminth ({STH}) infection has been associated with lower cognitive performance of schoolchildren. {T}o identify pathways through which {STH} infection might affect school performance, baseline data from a large rice-fortification trial in {C}ambodian schoolchildren were used to investigate associations between {STH} infection, micronutrient status, anemia, and cognitive performance. {C}omplete data on anthropometry, cognitive performance, and micronutrient status were available for 1,760 schoolchildren, 6-16 years of age. {STH} infection was identified using {K}ato {K}atz, whereas cognitive performance was assessed using {R}aven's {C}olored {P}rogressive {M}atrices ({RCPM}), block design, and picture completion. {STH} infection was found in 18% of the children; almost exclusively hookwork infection. {A}fter adjusting for age and gender, raw cognitive test scores were significantly lower in hookworm-infected children (-0.65; -0.78; -2.03 points for picture completion, {RCPM}, and block design, respectively; {P} < 0.05 for all). {H}ookworm infection was associated with iron status (total body iron), but not with vitamin {A} and zinc status, nor with inflammation or anthropometry. {B}ody iron was negatively associated with increased intensity of hookworm infection ({R} = 0.22, {P} < 0.001). {H}ookworm infection in {C}ambodian schoolchildren was associated with lower cognitive performance, an effect most likely mediated through lower body iron. {I}nterventions that are more effective against hookworm infection are needed to contribute to better health and improvement of cognitive performance.},
  keywords = {{CAMBODGE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}merican {J}ournal of {T}ropical {M}edicine and {H}ygiene},
  volume = {95},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {856--863},
  year = {2016},
  DOI = {10.4269/ajtmh.15-0813},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010070013},
}