The effect of treatment for soil-transmitted helminthiasis on cognitive function in children
Keywords:
soil-transmitted helminth, cognitive, children
Abstract
Background Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections affectone-third of the world's population. School-aged children are
reported to have the highest prevalence and intensity of disease,
resulting in impaired cognitive function, malnutrition and
morbidity.
Objective To examine differences in cognitive function in STHinfected
children before and after treatment.
Methods We conducted a randomized, open-label, controlled trial
from November 2 008 - March 2009 in Aek Na bar a, Lab uh an Batu
District, North Sumatera Province. Subjects were primary schoolaged
children with STH infection. Before intervention, data on
age, sex, nutritional status, STH infection status and cognitive
function were collected. Subjects were divided into two groups
by simple randomization. Group I received 400 mg albendazole
and group II received a placebo. Three months after intervention,
cognitive function of subjects in both groups was reassessed. Data
was analysed by Student's t test, with P value of less than 0.05
considered to be statistically significant.
Results Cognitive tests with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for
Children (WISC) were performed in 120 children infected with
STH. Sixty children received 400 mg albendazole and 60 children
received placebo. Seven children were excluded and one dropped
out from this study. Three months after the intervention, we
reevaluated cognitive function and found significant differences
in the categories of digit span (P=0.024) and total IQ score
(P=0.027) between the two groups.
Conclusions Treatment of STH infection with albendazole
improved cognitive function of children in comprehension, coding
and digit span testing. Performance and full IQ scores were also
improved after treatment. [Paediatr lndones. 2012;52:99-105].
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30. Hadidjaja P, Bonang E, Suyardi MA, Abidin SAN, Ismid
IS, Margono SS. The effect of intervention methods on
nutritional status and cognitive function of primary school
children infected with Ascaris lumbricoides. Am J Trop Med
Hyg. 1998;59:791-5.
31. Nokes C. Parasitic helminth infection and cognitive function
in school children. Proc Biol Sci. 1992;24 7: 77-81
32. Keiser J, Utzinger J. Efficacy of current drugs against soiltransmitted
helminth infections, systematic review and
meta-analysis. JAMA. 2008;299:1937-48
Hostetter MK, Lister G, Siegel NJ, editors. Rudolph pediatrics.
2l't ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2003. p. 1102-3.
2. Lubis CP, Pasaribu S. Ascariasis. In: Soedarmo AAP, Gama
H, Hadinegoro SRS, editors. Buku ajarilmu kesehatan anak
infeksi clan penyakit tropis. l st ed. Jakarta: Balai Penerbit
FKUI; 2002. p. 407-12.
3. Patel SS, Kazura JW Helminthic disease. In: Behrman RE,
Kliegman RM, Jenson HB, editors. Nelson textbook of
pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2004. p.
1219-37.
4. Hotez PJ. Helminth infection. In: Gehrson AA, Hotez PJ,
Katz SL, editors. Krugman's infectious disease in children.
9rh ed. Philadelphia: Mosby; 2004. p. 227-36.
5. Ezeamama AE, Fridman JF, Acosta LP, Bellinger DC, Langdon
GC, Manalo DL, et al. Helminth infection and cognitive
impairment among Filipino children. Am J Trop Med Hyg.
2005; 72:540-8.
6. Sakti H, Nokes C, Hertanto WS, Hendratno S, Hall A,
Bundy DAP, et al. Evidence of an association between
hookworm infection and cognitive function in Indonesian
school children. Trop Med Int Health. 1999;4:322-34.
7. Jukes MCH, Nokes CA, Alcock KJ, Lambo JK, Kihamia C,
N gorosho N, et al. Heavy schistosomiasis associated with poor
short term memory and slower reaction times in Tanzanian
school children. Trop Med Int Health. 2002;7:104-17.
8. Dickson R, Awasthi S, Williamson P, Demellweek C, Garner
P. Effects of treatment of intestinal helminth infection on
growth and cognitive performance in children: systematic
review of randomized trials. BMJ. 2000;20: 1697-701.
9. Drake LJ, Bundy DAP. Multiple helminth infections in
children: impact and control. Parasitol. 200 1; 122:73-81.
10. Watkins WE, Pollit E. "Stupidity or worms": Do intestinal
worms impair mental performance? Psych o! Bull. 1997;
121: 171-9 1.
11. Scoalri C, Torti C, Beltrame A, Mateelli A, Castelli F, Gulleta
M, et a l. Prevalence and distribution of soil-transmitted
helminth (STH) infections in urban and indigenous school
children in Ortoguiera, State of Parana, Brasil: implication
for control. Trop Med Int Health. 2002;5:302-7.
12. McDonald V. Parasites in the gastrointestinal tract. Parasite
Immunol. 2003;25:231-4.
13. Jukes M. Better education through improved health and
n utrition: implications for early childhood development
programs in developing countries. Switzerland: Springer;
2007. p. 145-76.
14. Roschnik N, Parawan A, Baylon MAB, Chua T, Hall A.
Weekly iron supplements given by teachers sustain the
haemoglobin level concentration of school children in the
Philippines. Trop Med Int Health. 2004;9:904-9.
15. Irsa L. Gangguan kognitif pada anemia defisiensi besi. Sari
Pediatri. 2002;4: 114-8.
16. Snodgrass SR. Neurologic manifestation of systemic illness.
In: Menkes JH, Sarnat HB, Maria DL, editors. Child
neurology. l 7'h ed. Phi ladelphia: Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins. p. 1025-9 6.
17. Stoltzfus RJ, Chwaya HM, Tielsch JM, Schulze KJ, Albonico
M, Savioli L. Epidemiology of iron deficiency anemia in
Zanzibari school children: the importance of hookworms.
AmJ Clin Nutt. 1997;65:153-9.
18. Stoltzfus R, Kvalsvig JD, Chwaya HM, Montresor A,
Albonico M, Tie Isch J, et al. Effects of iron supplementation
and antihelminthic treatment on motor and language
development of preschool children in Zanzibar: double-blind,
placebo-controlled study. BMJ. 2001;323: 1-8.
19. Soewondo S, Husaini M, Pollitt E. Effects of iron deficiency
on attention and learning processes in preschool children :
Bandung, Indonesia. AmJ Clin Nutr. 1989;50:667-74.
20. Stuijvenberg MEV, KvalvigJD, Faber M, Kruger M, Kenoyer
DG, Benade AJS. Effects of iron-, iodine-,and beta carotenefortified
biscuits on the micronutrient status of primary school
children : a randomized, controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr.
1999;69:497-503.
21. Boivin MJ, Giodani B. Improvements in cognitive performance
for school children in Zaire, Africa, following an iron
supplement and treatment for intestinal parasites. J Pediatr
Psycho!. 1993;18:249-64.
22. Boivin M, Giodani B, Ndanga K, Maky MM, Manzeki KM,
Ngunu N. Economic advantage and the cognitive ability of
rural children in Zaire. J Psych o!. 1996; 130:95-107.
23. Hall A, Hewitt G, Tuffrey V, Silva N. A review and metaanalysis
of the impact of intestinal worms on child growth
and nutrition. Matern Child Nu tr. 2008;4: 118-236.
24. Brooker S, Peshu N, Warn PA, Mosobo M, Guyatt HL, Marsh
K, et al. The epidemiology of hookworm infection and its
contribution to anaemia among pre-school children on the
Kenyan coast. Trans RSoc Trop Med Hyg. 1999;93:240-6.
25. Walker SP, McGregor SMG, Powell CA, Chang SM. Effects
on growth restriction in early childhood on growth, IQ, and
cognition at age 11 to 12 years and the benefits of nutritional
supplementation and psych osocial stimulation. J Pediatr.
2000;137:36-41.
26. Frank Y, Ashwal S. Neurologic disorder associated with
gastrointestinal disease, nutritional deficiencies and fluid electrolytes disorders. In: Swaiman KF, Ashwal S, editors.
Pediatric neurology principles and practices. yd ed. St. Louis:
Mosby. p. 1438-62.
27. Reichenberg A, Yirmiya R, Schuld A, Kraus T, Haack M,
Morag A, et al. Cytokine associated emotional and cognitive
disturbance in humans. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2001;58:445-
52.
28. UrbaniC, Palmer K. Drug-based helminth control in western
pacific countries: a general perspective. Trop Med Int Health.
2001;6:934-44.
29. Simeon DT, McGregor SM, Callender JE, Wong MS.
Treatment of Trichuris trichura infections improves growth,
spelling scores and school attendance in some children. J
Nutrition. 1995; 125: 187 5-83.
30. Hadidjaja P, Bonang E, Suyardi MA, Abidin SAN, Ismid
IS, Margono SS. The effect of intervention methods on
nutritional status and cognitive function of primary school
children infected with Ascaris lumbricoides. Am J Trop Med
Hyg. 1998;59:791-5.
31. Nokes C. Parasitic helminth infection and cognitive function
in school children. Proc Biol Sci. 1992;24 7: 77-81
32. Keiser J, Utzinger J. Efficacy of current drugs against soiltransmitted
helminth infections, systematic review and
meta-analysis. JAMA. 2008;299:1937-48
Published
2012-04-30
How to Cite
1.
Sari D, Ali M, Pasaribu S. The effect of treatment for soil-transmitted helminthiasis on cognitive function in children. PI [Internet]. 30Apr.2012 [cited 25Apr.2024];52(2):99-05. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/327
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Received 2016-08-22
Accepted 2016-08-22
Published 2012-04-30
Accepted 2016-08-22
Published 2012-04-30
