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The effects of praziquantel with or without multiple micronutrients and/or iron on hematologic responses among anemic school children infected with Schistosoma haematobium
Author(s) -
Ayoya Mohamed Ag,
SpiekermannBrouwer Gerburg Maria,
Stoltzfus Rebecca Joyce,
Traoré Abdel Kader,
Habicht JeanPierre,
Garza Cutberto
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a616
Subject(s) - mismatch negativity , praziquantel , medicine , significant difference , schistosoma haematobium , micronutrient , anemia , iron deficiency , gastroenterology , schistosomiasis , immunology , helminths , pathology , electroencephalography , psychiatry
Schistosoma haematobium (Sh) and anemia are prevalent among school children living in sub‐Saharan Africa. Sh requires treatment with praziquantel (PZ). Additional benefits, if any, of multiple micronutrients (MMN) over iron (Fe) on hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin (SF) are unknown and potentially important to public health strategies in Sh affected regions. Hence, 446 7‐12 y anemic children (Hb < 12 g/dL) with Sh were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial in Mali. All received PZ at baseline and then were assigned to MMN, Fe, MMN+Fe or no supplementation. Supplements were given 5 d/wk under supervision for 12 wk. Key characteristics did not differ at recruitment. After 12 wk, all groups (n=411) benefited; Hb, g/dL (0.95±0.10) * and SF, μg/L (40.42±6.32) * increased (p<0.001) in the supplemented groups compared to the PZ only group. Hb and SF were improved (p<0.05) by MMN+Fe (0.54±0.12 and 38.82±6.50, respectively) *, MMN (0.46±0.11 and 13.70±5.52, respectively) *, and Fe (0.72±0.13 and 59.91±7.49, respectively) *. MMN+Fe increased SF more (p=0.001) than MMN (25.11±7.21) *, but less (p = 0.021) than Fe (‐21.10±9.02) *. At the end of the trial, 91%, 79%, 78% and 61% were anemic in the control, MMN, MMN+Fe, and Fe groups respectively (p<0.05). We conclude that Fe supplementation was efficacious, and that MMN did not provide any additional benefit to iron status outcomes. Funding: Nestlé Foundation, Cornell Univ.