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https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/14665
SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI INFECTION AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN SCHOOLCHILDREN: A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL1–3
Growth
Sex
Oxamniquine
Morbidity
Therapy
Anthropometry
Parasitic infection
Schoolchildren
Author
Affilliation
Federal University of Bahia. Department of Nutrition Sciences and Institute of Public Health. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Federal University of Bahia. Department of Nutrition Sciences and Institute of Public Health. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Federal University of Bahia. Department of Nutrition Sciences and Institute of Public Health. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Fundação Gonçalo Moniz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Fundação Gonçalo Moniz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Department of Nutrition and Division of Geographic Medicine. Cleveland
Federal University of Bahia. Department of Nutrition Sciences and Institute of Public Health. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Federal University of Bahia. Department of Nutrition Sciences and Institute of Public Health. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Fundação Gonçalo Moniz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Fundação Gonçalo Moniz, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Department of Nutrition and Division of Geographic Medicine. Cleveland
Abstract
Brazilian schoolchildren with mild- to moderate-
intensity schistosome infections (< 400 Schistosoma mansoni
eggs/g stool) were randomly allocated to a treatment
(oxamniquine) or placebo group in a double-blind fashion.
Anthropometric measurements were made at baseline, 6 mo,
and 1 y for 353 students. At baseline, the groups were not significantly
different with respect to nutritional status or selected
socioeconomic and biological characteristics, including anthropometric
measures. One year later, significant differences were
noted only in the nutritional status of boys treated for schistosome
infection. Treated boys had greater measurements for
weight, triceps skinfold thickness, midarm circumference, arm
muscle area, and body mass index than untreated boys. They
also showed significant increases over the year in weight,
height, midarm circumference, and body mass index. The rates
of improvement in weight and height were more accelerated in
the first 6 mo after therapy than the last. These results indicate
that, at least in boys, chronic S. mansoni infection at any intensity
is detrimental to short-term growth and development
Keywords
Schistosoma mansoniGrowth
Sex
Oxamniquine
Morbidity
Therapy
Anthropometry
Parasitic infection
Schoolchildren
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