[Randomized study comparing the safety and efficacy of albendazole and metronidazole in the treatment of giardiasis in children].

An open, randomized study was carried out with 100 children to compare the efficacy and security of albendazole and metronidazole to eradicate Giardia lamblia. We included 100 patients in primary school age with giardiasis confirmed by parasitoscopic test who had not received treatment during the 2 previous months. A complete clinical study was performed. By using an aleatory code, the children were distributed in 2 groups: A and B. The clinical data was corroborated and the following tests were made: cell blood count, blood chemistry, direct and concentrated coproparasitoscopic study. Both groups were given an antiparasite treatment consisting of albendazole for group A or metronidazole for group B. Clinical, parasitological and blood controls were conducted before, during and after the treatment. A therapeutic efficacy of 94% and 98% for group A and B, respectively, was found. We concluded that albendazole and metronidazole are equally effective in a 5 days treatment period, but some undesirable effects may occur with metronidazole.