Kasmera (May 2001)
EVALUATION OF ANTIGIARDIASIC EFFICACY OF ALBENDAZOLE IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
Abstract
OBJETIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of albendazole in the treatment of Giardiasis in preschool children. DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY: 33 preschool children of both sexes enrolled in four Day Care Centers (DCC) located in San Francisco in the state of Zulia, diagnosed as having Giardiasis based on fecal samples from each child examined by direct exam using saline solution and lugol and/or the formaline-ether concentration method, received a single dose of 400 mg of albendazole for five consecutive days. Seven and fourteen days after the last dose of albendazole, a fecal sample was examined by direct exam and the formaline-ether concentration method. The Chi-square test was used to analysis the data. RESULTS: 69,7% of the children showed parasitic cure. No significant difference was evident among the variables: cure and age or cure and sex. As side effects, abdominal pain (12%) and headache (9%) were observed. A case of erratic migration of Ascaris lumbricoides was also observed. CONCLUSION: Every child who is going to enter to a DCC needs a fecal sample examined to diagnose Giardiasis which is transmited by direct contact, and should receive treatment. Albendazole is an alternative treatment when the imidazoles are no tolerated or are ineffective.
