Medicine
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/12
This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
Browse
3 results
Search Results
Item Effect of mebendazole therapy in pregnancy on birth outcome(Lancet Publishing Group, 1999) de Silva, N.R.; Sirisena, J.; Gunasekera, D.P.S.; Ismail, M.M.; de Silva, H.J.BACKGROUND: In areas endemic for hookworm, routine antenatal mebendazole therapy could greatly reduce the prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy. At present, however, this is not a widely accepted control strategy because of a lack of data on the safety of the drug. We assessed the effect of mebendazole therapy during pregnancy on birth outcome. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done in Sri Lanka, where prescription of mebendazole to women in the second trimester of pregnancy is recommended. Two hospitals were chosen for the study, and women who gave birth there between May, 1996, and March, 1997, were recruited. We compared the rates of major congenital defects, stillbirth, perinatal death, and low birthweight (less or equal 1500 g) among babies of mothers who had taken mebendazole during pregnancy with those whose mothers had not taken an anthelmintic (controls). FINDINGS: The rate of major congenital defects was not significantly higher in the mebendazole group than in the control group (97 [1.8 percent] of 5275 vs 26 [1.5 percent] of 1737; odds ratio 1.24 [95 percent CI 0.8-1.91], p equal 0.39). Among 407 women who had taken mebendazole in the first trimester (contrary to medical advice), 10 (2.5 percent) had major congenital defects (odds ratio vs controls 1.66 [0.81-3.56], p equal 0.23). The proportions of stillbirths and perinatal deaths were significantly lower in the mebendazole group (1.9 vs 3.3 percent, 0.55 [95 percent CI 0.4-0.77]), as was the proportion of low-birthweight babies (1.1 vs 2.3 percent 0.47 [95 percent CI 0.32-0.71]). INTERPRETATION: Mebendazole therapy during pregnancy is not associated with a significant increase in major congenital defects, but our results indicate that it should be avoided during the first trimester. This therapy could offer beneficial effects to pregnant women in developing countries, where intestinal helminthiases are endemic.Item Routine use of mebendazole in pregnancy(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 1996) de Silva, N.R.; Kodituwakku, K.K.A.P.; Edirisinghe, S.S.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION: The Ministry of Health has recommended the routine administration of a broad spectrum anthelmintic to all pregnant women after completion of the first trimester of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalence and intensity of geohelminth infections in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Ragama and determine the use of anthelmintics by them. METHODS: Women on their first visit to antenatal clinics of the University Obstetrics Unit, General Hospital Colombo North, Ragama, during July-August 1995, were recruited for the study. Demographic details, duration of pregnancy and a history of using anthelmintics during the current pregnancy were noted. A stool sample was obtained and examined using modified Kato-Katz technique. RESULTS: 309 pregnant women were studied [mean age 26.6 years (SD 5.3)]. 94 (30.4%) had taken an anthelmintic during the current pregnancy. 78 (25.2%) had taken it in the second trimester, 9 (2.9%) in the third, 6 (1.8%) in the first, and one was uncertain of the timing. Stool samples were obtained from 181 women giving a compliance rate of 58.6%. Prevalence of geohelminth infections were: whipworm 10%, hookworm 2.2%, roundworm 1.1%. The intensities of the infections were mild. 157 (86.7%) did not have any geohelminth infection. Of the 181 women whose stools were examined, 52 had taken an anthelmintic. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of geohelminth infections between this group (6/52; 11.2%) and those who had not taken an anthelmintic (18/129; 13.9%) (Chi-square test). CONCLUSION: It may not be necessary to treat all pregnant women in Sri Lanka with anthelmintics, as some areas have a low prevalence of infection. Routine anthelmintic therapy could-be limited to areas where prevalence rates are known to be high.Item Flubendazole in the treatment of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura: a comparison of two different regimens with single-dose(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 1984) de Silva, D.G.H.; Lionel, N.D.; Jayatilleka, S.M.No Abstract Available