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Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

Is the exclusion of children under 24 months from anthelmintic treatment justifiable?

Antonio Montresor1, Rebecca J Stoltzfus, Marco Albonico

  • 1Center for Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. montresora@who.int

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|June 12, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Benzimidazole anthelmintics are safe for children under two years old. This study found no adverse effects, supporting reconsidering treatment policies for young children with soil-transmitted helminthiasis.

Area of Science:

  • * Pediatric infectious diseases
  • * Clinical pharmacology
  • * Global health

Background:

  • * Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) poses significant risks to children under 24 months.
  • * Current policies often exclude this age group from benzimidazole anthelmintic treatment.
  • * Limited data exists on the safety of benzimidazole derivatives in infants and toddlers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To evaluate the safety and tolerability of mebendazole in children under 24 months.
  • * To assess adverse effects associated with benzimidazole treatment in this vulnerable population.
  • * To inform treatment guidelines for STH in young children.

Main Methods:

  • * A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 212 children under 24 months in Tanzania.
  • * Participants received either mebendazole (500 mg) or a placebo.
  • * Adverse events including fever, cough, diarrhea, and respiratory illness were monitored for one week post-treatment.

Main Results:

  • * No significant differences in the occurrence of adverse effects were observed between the mebendazole and placebo groups.
  • * Mebendazole was well-tolerated in children under 24 months.
  • * The study provides evidence against potential toxicity in this age group.

Conclusions:

  • * Benzimidazole anthelmintics, specifically mebendazole, appear safe for treating children under 24 months.
  • * The exclusion of children under 24 months from anthelmintic treatment policies should be re-evaluated.
  • * Deworming young children may offer significant nutritional and health benefits, warranting broader treatment inclusion.

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