Efficacy of Albendazole and Short-Course Prednisolone Treatment in Children with One or Two Ring-Enhancing Lesions of Neurocysticercosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v27i2.1410Keywords:
Prednisolone, Albendazole, Neurocysticercosis and ChildrenAbstract
Context: Neurocysticercosis is a endemic disease in Nepal causing social and financial burden on society and developmental problem in children. Aims: To determine the efficacy of albendazole plus oral prednisolone in children with 1 or 2 ring-enhancing lesions (by CT) on resolution of lesions and recurrence of seizure.
Setting and Design: Randomized controlled open trial.
Methods and Materials: Children with 1 or 2 ring-enhancing lesions < 20 mm in diameter on computed tomography scan, likely to have Neurocysticercosis, were assigned to treatment & control groups. Children assigned to the treatment group (n = 50) were given 2.0 mg/kg per day prednisolone orally for 5 days plus 15 mg/kg per day albendazole on third day for 28 days. Anti epileptic drugs were given to both groups {including Control group (n = 51)}.
Statistical Analysis: The results were analysed with the use of Epi Info version 6.04 and Stata version;7 software.
Results: The lesions resolved completely or partially in more children in the treated group compared with the control group (p = .04 & p = 0.03). The proportion of children who had seizures was significantly lower in the treated group compared with the control group at 6 months (10% versus 33%; p = .006) and 12 months (14% versus 38%; p = .003).
Conclusion: Albendazole plus Prednisolone increased resolution of lesions on computed tomography scan and reduced the risk of subsequent recurrence of seizures among children with Neurocysticercosis.
Key words: Prednisolone, Albendazole, Neurocysticercosis and Children.
doi:10.3126/jnps.v27i2.1410
J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol.27(2) p.60-63
Downloads
Downloads
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).