Effectiveness of the treatment of helminth infections ( S. mansoni , Ancylostomidae , T. trichiura , A. lumbricoides ) on hemoglobin concentration in school-children and adolescents.

Abstract

Background: Anemia remains a leading cause of morbidity in young children in developing countries. Objective: In order to investigate the increase in hemoglobin concentration in individuals treated for helminth infections (S. mansoni, A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, Ancylostomidae) of mild and moderate intensity. Design: A prospective study of six months’ duration was carried out in 644 individuals of 7-17 years of age in Jequié, Bahia. Oxamniquine (Mansil®) and albendazole were administered in the form of syrup in single doses of 20 mg/kg of weight and 400 mg, respectively. Data were collected on hemoglobin concentration, dietary intake (24-hour recall) and fecal parasitology prior to and six months following treatment. Data on environmental and socioeconomic conditions were obtained at baseline. Results: The subgroup analyses resulted in significant interaction of the intervention with the dietary intake of copper and family income. The increase in hemoglobin concentration in those not infected six months after treatment was statistically significant when dietary intake of copper was adequate (from 12.2 g/dl to 12.9 g/dl; increase in hemoglobin was 0.7 g/dl [p=0.00]), but not in those whose dietary intake of copper was inadequate (from 12.4 g/dl to 12.4 g/dl, there was no increase in hemoglobin [p=0.53]). There was a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin concentration in those not infected (from 12.2g/dl to 12.6 g/dl; increase in hemoglobin was 0,4 g/dl; [p=0.02]) and in individuals infected by only one intestinal helminth (from 12.2g/dl to 12.5 g/dl; increase in hemoglobin was 0,3 g/dl [p=0.03]) with per capita income ≤ ¼ of a minimum salary Conclusions: In the short term, the adoption of mass treatment as an intervention strategy may cause a positive impact on hemoglobin concentration in groups more vulnerable.