title: Double blind study of placebo and ribavirin as prophylaxis in cases of contact with varicella in children.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether or not ribavirin provides protection against varicella in those who come in contact with the virus. In a double blind placebo study, ribavirin (20 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or placebo was administered to children who had contact with varicella. Treatment was administered to 61 children (Group 1) within the first 3 days of contact, 45 of them were immunocompetent and 16 were immunodepressed. Treatment was given to 54 children on the 7th day after contact (Group 2); 48 of them were immunocompetent and 6 immunodepressed. In group 1, 11 (50%) of the immunocompetent treated with ribavirin developed chicken pox while 11 (50%) were asymptomatic. For seroconversion, there was no significant difference (p=0.586). In group 2, we did not find varicella in immunocompetent patients receiving ribavirin (0/24), for placebo there were 2 (2/24) cases of varicella. Varicella was not observed in immunodepressed patients in Group 2. A difference was not observed with the administration of ribavirin at day 3 or 7 versus placebo to prevent development of varicella. This study may have implications for the public health efforts in the prophylaxis of chicken pox.
authors: Servicio de Infectología, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP).
authors: Napoleón
authors: N
authors: González Saldaña
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Chacón Sánchez
authors: Uriel
authors: U
authors: Ochoa Pérez
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Coria Lorenzo
authors: Víctor
authors: V
authors: Pérez Robles
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Garibay Valencia
authors: Víctor
authors: V
authors: Fortuño Cordoba
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: Juárez Olguín
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010919:Placebos; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010919:Placebos; D012254:Ribavirin