La leishmaniose viscerale infantile [a'propos de 40 cas]

ABSTRACT

Currently increasing in Morrocco, the infantile visceral leishmaniasis is a serious health problem Based on a retrospective study of forty cases of infantile visceral leishmaniasis managed at the pediatric service 3, from 1985 to 1994, we tried to point out the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutical and evolutive field of this affection in our country. These forty cases are distributed into 26 boys and 14 girls whose ages oscillate between 9 months and 12 years with an average of 4 years Most of them originate from the northern region of the country. The clinical manifestations included fever [100%], weight loss [67%], enlargement of the spleen [97%] enlargement of the liver [60%], hemorrhagic syndrome [30%] with severe anenlia and Jaundice [15%]. Diagnosis certitude was established by the bone marrow study in 33 out of 40 patients or by indirect immunofluorescence in 16 out of 19 patients. Therapy is based on the use of Glucantime' [37 cases] and Lomidine' [3 cases] in one or several cures. Complete recovery was achieved in 33 patients after one cure. The severity of this disease and cost of management necessitate an earlier, diagnosis, intensive treatment and a prophylaxis against leishmaniasis imperative