The effect of treatment for soil-transmitted helminthiasis on cognitive function in children

Background Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections affect one-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]