RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHIASES AND GROWTH IN URBAN SLUM SCHOOLCHILDREN IN UJUNG-PANDANG, INDONESIA

This study examined the relationship between intestinal helminthiases and growth in urban slum schoolchildren. Children (n = 330) who receiv ed single doses of either pyrantel, albendazole, or placebo at baselin e and again at 6 months were followed and examined fully at 0, 3, 6, a nd 12 months for helminth infections and anthropometry. Results of tre atments indicated that all groups reduced their prevalence and intensi ty toward the period of the study, Reductions in intensity of both inf ections in the treatment groups were observed large in 3 and 12 months , whereas at 6 months reached mostly the initial level of infection. T here was no significant difference in growth changes between the dewor med (once and twice) and the placebo groups. However, after controling for some potential confounding factors, there was a significant relat ionship between reduction of A, lumbricoides infection and height gain at 3 and 12 months (both P < 0.05). In addition, there was a signific ant association between reduction in T. trichiura infection and increa sed midarm circumference at 3 and 12 months (P < 0.002 and P < 0.08, r espectively), We conclude that treatment of helminth infections in sch ool-age children may improve growth in areas where malnutrition and he lminth infections are prevalent.