The use of height versus weight in determining praziquantel dose for treatment of schistosomiasis in children

Abstract EN

Background : Praziquantel (PZQ) is currently the drug of choice in treatment of Schistosomiasis because of its high efficacy, few and transient side effects, simple administration and competitive cost.

In community-based management and during mass chemotherapy of Schistosomiasis, WHO recommended a dose pole where height is taken as a single parameter to select the required dose. Objective : to compare PZQ dose according to WHO dose pole with the calculated weight dependent dose and test their consistency. Method : we used a growth percentile ruler (MOSWAR) that includes weight, height, head circumference and body surface area according to age and sex.

Data were then compiled into a table-form that included PZQ dose according to the dose pole and the calculated mean weight dependent dose. Results : the results showed that PZQ dose according to the dose pole is not consistent with the weight-dependent dose. Conclusion : يuring mass chemotherapy and community-based management of Schistosomiasis in children, we recommend the use of a similar table or a device similar to (MOSWAR) to determine PZQ dose according to whichever of the growth parameters is available.