Randomised trial of albendazole and pyrantel in symptomless trichuriasis in children.
BACKGROUND
We aimed to find out whether symptomless infection with Trichuris trichiura is associated with impairment of growth and to assess the effect of a multiple-doses regimen of anthelmintic drugs on the growth of children.


METHODS
In a community based trial, 622 Mexican children were randomly allocated one of three treatment regimens: 3 days of albendazole 400 mg daily (high efficacy); one dose of albendazole 400 mg (moderate efficacy); one dose of pyrantel (pyrantel embonate) 11 mg/kg (low efficacy). Growth was monitored for 12 months. Analyses were by intention to treat.


RESULTS
113 (18%) children were lost to follow-up--34 from the pyrantel group, 45 from the albendazole 400 mg group, and 34 from the albendazole 1200 mg group. Among the 127 children with heavy pretreatment infections, albendazole 1200 mg was better than pyrantel in terms of an increase in arm circumference (mean 0.26 cm, p=0.044). Among the 381 children with low pretreatment levels of infection, changes in weight (mean difference between groups -0.33 kg, p=0.036), arm circumference (-0.18 cm, p=0.0095), and thickness of triceps skinfold (-0.41 mm, p=0.0031) were less in children on albendazole 1200 mg than in those on pyrantel.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptomless trichuriasis impairs growth and albendazole or pyrantel may affect growth, independently of a therapeutic action on parasites. Possible toxic effects of high-dose albendazole require further investigation.
Forrester
J E
JE
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Bailar
J C
JC
Esrey
S A
SA
José
M V
MV
Castillejos
B T
BT
Ocampo
G
G
D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011715:Pyrantel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D012923:Social Class; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D011715:Pyrantel; D015766:Albendazole