The use of height versus weight in determining praziquantel dose for treatment of Schistosomiasis in children

Abstract

Background: Praziquantel (PZQ) is currently the drug of choice in treatment of Schistosomiasis because of its high efficacy, few and transient side effects, simple administration and competitive cost. In community-based management and during mass chemotherapy of Schistosomiasis, WHO recommended a dose pole where height is taken as a single parameter to select the required dose.
Objective: To compare PZQ dose according to WHO dose pole with the calculated weightdependent dose and test their consistency.
Method: We used a growth percentile ruler (MOSWAR) that includes weight, height, head circumference and body surface area according to age and sex. Data were then compiled into a table-form that included PZQ dose according to the dose pole and the calculated mean weightdependent
dose.
Results: The results showed that PZQ dose according to the dose pole is not consistent with the weight-dependent dose.
Conclusion: During mass chemotherapy and community-based  management of Schistosomiasis in children, we recommend the use of a similar table or a device similar to (MOSWAR) to determine PZQ dose according to whichever of the growth parameters is available.