Efficacy and safety of mebendazole in children with worm infestation

Children aged between 2-16 years, were screened for worm infestation. Fifty-five children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. They were treated with mebendazole 100 mg twice daily for three consecutive days and followed-up for 15 days to assess cure rate and side effects. Fifty children completed the study with their stools being tested by direct smear and concentration methods and blood CBC done before treatment and at the end of the study. The cure rate for ascaris was 100% and for trichuris 75%. The drug was well tolerated and apart from mild diarrhoea occurring in 22% children, no untoward effects were reported. Nemazole [mebendazole] has shown promise and seems useful in treating children with worm infestation

Expanded programme of immunization in Karachi

Immunization status of children and their mothers and reasons for their failure to be immunized were studied. The study lasted for two months, i.e., August and September, 1993 at the Paediatric Outpatient Department of Civil Hospital, Karachi. Three groups of patients were targeted. Six hundred and twenty-four children under 1 year of age, 955 children between the ages of 1 to 5 years and 1579 mothers were registered. These women were questioned regarding their immunization status and that of their children. In the group below 1 year of age, BCG, DPT and polio [3 doses] and measles were given to 75%, 35% and 23% respectively. Tetanus toxoid [2 doses] was given to 47% of their mothers. In the group of children between 1-5 years. BCG, DPT and polio 3 doses and measles were given to 84%, 63% and 58% respectively. Tetanus toxoid [2 doses] were given to 64% of their mothers. The main reasons for not vaccinating were lack of information and lack of motivation

Status of immunization in children below five years of age and their mothers

A study involving 1579 children aged 0-5 years and their mothers regarding their immunization status was conducted over a two month period at the Paediatrics Department, Civil Hospital, Karachi. BCG had been given to 80.87%, Polio and D.P.T. 3 does was given to 51.67% DPT/Polio Booster was given to 23.8%, Measles in 43.95% of the children and Tetanus Toxoid 2nd dose to 57.37% mothers. The importance of these findings is stressed although we were unable to compare these results statistically with those of the E.P.I immunization coverage study conducted in 1990-91

change of plasmodium species infecting children in Karaci over the last decade

Febrile children of both sexes, aged between 0-15 years coming to the Civil Hospital over the last 12 years had their blood tested for malarial parasite. Five hundred and twenty-six slides positive for Plasmodium were analysed for species and stage identification. Of the total 59.3% children with malaria were between 5-15 years of age. Applying the test of proportion, Plasmodium vivax was the predominant species [P<0.01] between 1981-1985 and plasmodium falciparum between 1986-1990. This trend persisted upto 1992. As malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum is more severe with multiple complications, accurate and easier methods of its diagnosis are needed at primary health care level