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Putting the treatment of paediatric schistosomiasis into context

Takafira Mduluza1,2, Francisca Mutapi3

  • 1Biochemistry Department, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe. tmduluza@yahoo.com.

Infectious Diseases of Poverty
|April 9, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Developing a child-friendly praziquantel formulation is crucial for controlling schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children. Current praziquantel tablets are difficult for young children to swallow, necessitating new formulations.

Area of Science:

  • Neglected Tropical Diseases
  • Parasitology
  • Paediatric Pharmacology

Background:

  • Schistosomiasis control relies on mass drug administration, primarily targeting school-aged children.
  • Preschool-aged children were historically excluded but are now recognized as a key population for treatment.
  • The World Health Organization recommended including preschool-aged children in treatment programs in 2010.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the challenge of treating preschool-aged children with schistosomiasis.
  • To highlight the need for a child-appropriate praziquantel formulation.
  • To discuss the target product profile for paediatric praziquantel.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current praziquantel formulations and their limitations for paediatric use.
  • Analysis of evidence supporting the inclusion of preschool-aged children in mass drug administration.
  • Discussion of knowledge gaps in paediatric schistosomiasis control.

Main Results:

  • Current praziquantel tablets (600 mg) are not suitable for young children due to size, palatability, and dosing inflexibility.
  • Breaking or crushing tablets poses risks and affects accurate dosing.
  • A child-appropriate formulation is urgently needed.

Conclusions:

  • Effective schistosomiasis control requires tailored praziquantel formulations for preschool-aged children.
  • Development of paediatric praziquantel is essential to improve treatment accessibility and efficacy.
  • Further research is needed to define optimal paediatric praziquantel product profiles.

Keywords:
Child-size medicineDrug pipelinePaediatric schistosomiasisPraziquantelTarget product profile

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