Effect of periodic deworming on nutritional status of ascaris-infested preschool children receiving supplementary food.

The weight for age of 154 undernourished preschool children in an ascaris-infested community receiving supplementary food was monitored for a year. 74 children were given tetramisole every 4 months, while 80 controls were given placebo. The prevalence of ascaris (roundworm) infection and the severity of protein-energy malnutrition were the same in the two groups at the onset of the study. Stool-positive rates for ascariasis came down significantly in the experimental group during the year, but eradication of the worm was not possible owing to constant re-exposure. Nutritional status remained unaltered in the controls but improved strikingly in the treated children 8 and 12 months after the start of the study. Periodic deworming should form a part of the supplementary feeding programme if malnutrition is associated with ascariasis in the community.