BMJ  2006;333 (15 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7559.0-b

Worm treatment improves weight gain in Ugandan preschool children

Giving anthelmintic treatments routinely as a part of regularly scheduled health services can lead to extra weight gain in preschool children in Uganda. Alderman and colleagues (p 122) randomised over 27 000 children aged 1-7 years from 48 parishes participating in child health days to an additional 400 mg albendazole or to standard services only over a three year period. When treatments were given twice a year children who received albendazole had a weight gain about 10% above that expected; when they were given annually the treated children gained about 5% more.

Credit: ALISTAIR PENNY/STILL PICTURES

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