Introduction: Parasitic diseases are considered one of the most important public health problems in Iran.
Ardabil province, due to its specific climatic and geographical conditions, shows a specific epidemiological pattern of these diseases. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the most common parasitic diseases in children in
Ardabil and compare them with other provinces of the country. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, Magiran, and IranMedex databases, covering publications from January ۲۰۱۰ to February ۲۰۲۵. Search terms included Ardabil, children, parasite, intestinal parasites, visceral leishmaniasis, Giardia, helminths, and protozoa. Of ۶۴ retrieved articles, ۱۱ studies met the inclusion criteria following a rigorous screening process. Eligible studies were restricted to peer-reviewed, ISI-indexed, or nationally accredited scientific journals. Results: (۱) Toxocariasis: A pediatric ELISA survey in
Ardabil County reported a seroprevalence of ۱۴%. Rates were significantly higher among rural children (۲۴.۴%) compared with their urban counterparts (۸.۶۵%), and higher in boys (۱۵.۳%). This prevalence surpasses the national average of approximately ۹.۳%. (۲) Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL): A province-wide survey (۲۰۱۹-۲۰۲۱) identified a VL seroprevalence of ۵.۱۶ per ۱,۰۰۰ at-risk children. The majority of confirmed cases occurred in Meshgin-Shahr (۸۷.۵%), followed by
Ardabil city (۱۲.۵%), with about ۷۸% of cases in children under ۵ years of age. This age-specific disease burden and geographic clustering parallel patterns reported in northwest Iran. (۳) Intestinal Protozoa: Spatial and temporal analyses highlighted Giardia lamblia as the predominant intestinal pathogen, particularly concentrated in
Ardabil city. Giardia lamblia reported prevalence in
Ardabil city ranged from ۸.۴%-۱۴.۶%, higher in rural areas. Blastocystis hominis prevalence between ۷.۱%-۱۲.۳% among school children in Parsabad and Meshgin-Shahr. National Comparison: Ardabil's pediatric VL distribution (focused in Meshgin-Shahr with a strong disease burden in children under five) resembles that of Iran's northwestern endemic belt. Similarly, the ۱۴% pediatric toxocariasis prevalence in
Ardabil exceeds the national mean of ۹.۳%. Conclusions:
Toxocariasis and visceral leishmaniasis remain the most significant parasitic diseases affecting children in Ardabil. The regional toxocariasis prevalence is notably higher than the national average, while Giardia lamblia continues to be the leading intestinal protozoan of concern. Public health strategies should emphasize rural-focused screening and control of toxocariasis, including deworming of stray dogs and strengthening community hygiene education. Standardized, school-based surveys are also recommended to refine prevalence estimates for Giardia and Cryptosporidium among children.
