HUMAN AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS IN CHILDREN - A PEDIATRICS DEPARTMENT EXPERIENCE IN LIBREVILLE, GABON

During a period of six years (1/1/89 - 12/31/94), seven children with trypanosomiasis were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Owend o Pediatric Hospital - Libreville, Gabon. They were 5 boys and 2 girls , aged 4 - 17 years, five of them under 15 years. The main reasons of hospitalization were somnolence (4 cases), psychical disorders (5 case s), neurological disorders (4 cases), asthenia (3 cases), loss of weig ht (3 cases) and fever (3 cases). Increased sedimentation rate (5 case s) and hypergammaglobulinemia (6 cases) were the most important biolog ical disturbances. Serodiagnosis (CATT, indirect immunofluorescence te st) was positive in all cases. The parasite was detected in blood seve n times, and four limes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). According to CSF status, six children have been classified in second stage of the dise ase. Six patients were treated by melarsoprol, and one by eflornithine . Tolerance and response to treatment were good in six cases. Three ch ildren presented sequels when leaving hospital. No patient was seen ag ain after the study.