Anthelmintic treatment of rural Bangladeshi children: effect on host physiology, growth, and biochemical status

Background The effect of helminth infestation on the nutrition, growth, and physiology of the host is still poorly understood. Anthelmintic treatment of children in developing countries has had varying success in terms of growth improvements. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the effect of regular deworming on child growth, physiology, and biochemical status. Design The study was a 12-mo longitudinal intervention in 123 Bangladeshi children aged 2-5 y. Treatment (mebendazole) or placebo tablets were administered every 2 mo for 8 mo and again at 12 mo. Weight, height, midupper arm circumference, intestinal permeability, plasma albumin, alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin, and total protein concentration were assessed every 2 mo. Results Treatment with mebendazole reduced the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides from 78%…