Effect of Praziquantel Treatment on the Nutritional Status of Children Infected with Schistosoma haematobium
2025
Louis Fok | Hongying Daisy Dai | David M. Brett-Major | Abebe Animut | Berhanu Erko | John Linville | Yohannes Negash | Abraham Degarege
This quasi-experimental trial examined the relationship between Schistosoma haematobium infection and nutritional status, and the impact of single dose praziquantel (PZQ) therapy on undernutrition. A total of 353 children were examined, 112 of which were infected with S. haematobium and treated with PZQ. Children&rsquo:s heights, weights, and mid-upper arm circumferences (MUAC) were measured at baseline and one month post-treatment. Infected children had significantly smaller mean BMI-for-age z-scores (BAZ) (&minus:1.16 vs. 0.11, p <: 0.01) and weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) (&minus:0.61 vs. &minus:0.31, p = 0.03) than the uninfected ones at baseline. S. haematobium infection was associated with underweight (adjusted OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.63&ndash:1.90). One month after treatment, BAZ, WAZ, height for age z-scores (HAZ), and MUAC scores were comparable between treated and control children. However, there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of underweight among treated children, while no significant change was observed in the control group one month post-treatment. In conclusion, children infected with S. haematobium are likely to suffer from undernutrition: however, single dose PZQ therapy may not improve their nutritional status within one month of treatment. Future studies could have longer follow-up periods to better estimate the drug&rsquo:s effect on nutrition.
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