title: Normal somatic growth in children receiving low-dose prophylactic co-trimoxazole.
abstract: Co-trimoxazole is an effective antibacterial agent for the prophylaxis of urinary tract infection. Because experimental evidence raises the possibility that high-dose cotrimoxazole might interfere with normal somatic growth, the longitudinal growth and growth velocities were analysed in 114 girls receiving long-term, low-dose prophylactic cotrimoxazole. They were aged 2-12 years at the start of prophylaxis which was given in a daily dose of approximately 10 mg sulphamethoxazole (SMX) and 2 mg trimethoprim (TMP)/kg body weight for at least 6 months and for up to 6 years. There was no significant variation from normal in height or weight attained or in growth velocity overall in 114 girls, 51 of whom had vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR). No difference was found in growth velocity when periods of 6 months on or off prophylactic therapy were compared in 53 girls. Growth did not vary between cohorts of girls receiving co-trimoxazole prophylaxis for 2, 3 or 4 years and growth proceeded normally in the 51 girls with VU reflux. We have not found evidence that long-term, low-dose cotrimoxazole prophylaxis has any adverse effect upon somatic growth in girls with a previous urinary infection with or without vesico-ureteric reflux and who are otherwise healthy.
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D014295:Trimethoprim; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole