Effect of periodic deworming on nutritional status of ascaris-infested preschool children receiving supplementary food.
The weight for age of 154 undernourished preschool children in an ascaris-infested community receiving supplementary food was monitored for a year. 74 children were given tetramisole every 4 months, while 80 controls were given placebo. The prevalence of ascaris (roundworm) infection and the severity of protein-energy malnutrition were the same in the two groups at the onset of the study. Stool-positive rates for ascariasis came down significantly in the experimental group during the year, but eradication of the worm was not possible owing to constant re-exposure. Nutritional status remained unaltered in the controls but improved strikingly in the treated children 8 and 12 months after the start of the study. Periodic deworming should form a part of the supplementary feeding programme if malnutrition is associated with ascariasis in the community.
D001196:Ascariasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D001835:Body Weight; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002149:Energy Intake; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D013773:Tetramisole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D013773:Tetramisole