The effects of deworming on indicators of school performance in Guatemala

Watkins, William; Cruz, J. R.; Pollitt, Ernesto

doi:10.1016/s0035-9203(96)90121-2

Cited by 55 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…While previous studies have shown improvement in school achievement and cognitive tests following de-worming programmes, 3,39 de-worming 7-12-year-old rural Guatemalan children with high parasite loads failed to affect their school performance. 42 Albendazole was found in that study to be successful in treating Ascaris infection but to be less effective against Trichuris, similar to our results.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

A randomized controlled trial of the effect of antihelminthic treatment and micronutrient fortification on health status and school performance of rural primary school children

Jinabhai

Taylor

Coutsoudis

et al. 2001

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics

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Single interventions for helminthic infections and micronutrient deficiencies are effective, but it is not clear whether combined interventions will provide equal, additive or synergistic effects to improve children's health. The study objective was to determine the impact of single and combined interventions on nutritional status and scholastic and cognitive performance of school children. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 11 rural South African primary school randomly allocated 579 children aged between 8 and 10 years into six study groups, half of whom received antihelminthic treatment at baseline. The de-wormed and non-de-wormed arms were further divided into three groups and given biscuits, either unfortified or fortified with vitamin A and iron or with vitamin A only, given daily for 16 weeks. The outcome measures were anthropometric, micronutrient and parasite status, and scholastic and cognitive test scores. There was a significant treatment effect of vitamin A on serum retinol (p < 0.01), and the suggestion of an additive effect between vitamin A fortification and de-worming. Fortified biscuits improved micronutrient status in rural primary school children; vitamin A with de-worming had a greater impact on micronutrient status than vitamin A fortification alone and antihelminthic treatment significantly reduced the overall prevalence of parasite infection. The burden of micronutrient deficiency (anaemia, iron and vitamin A) and stunting in this study population was low and, coupled with the restricted duration of the intervention (16 weeks), might have limited the impact of the interventions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

A randomized controlled trial of the effect of antihelminthic treatment and micronutrient fortification on health status and school performance of rural primary school children

Jinabhai

Taylor

Coutsoudis

et al. 2001

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics

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“…In Simeon, Grantham-McGregor, Callender, and Wong's (1995, A) experimental study in Jamaica, treatment of children with whipworm interacted with low height-for-age and high worm burden to produce better spelling scores; treated children with stunted growth also had better attendance. However, the study of Watkins et al (1996a, A) among children with both roundworm and whipworm found no effect of deworming on reading, vocabulary, and attendance scores and no interactions of treatment with worm load.…”

Section: Results By Psychological Domainmentioning

confidence: 94%

"Stupidity or worms": Do intestinal worms impair mental performance?

Watkins¹,

Pollitt²

1997

Psychological Bulletin

Self Cite

130

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The title of a 1930s article asked the question, "Stupidity or Hookworm?" In this article, the authors discuss research that attempts to answer the question of whether intestinal worms--namely, hookworm, whipworm, and roundworm--harm the mental performance of their hosts. After introducing the biology and epidemiology of intestinal worms, the authors present the historical background to the problem. They review research from the 1910s through the 1990s; there is evidence that high intensities of worms can affect mental performance, but not all dewormed children show improved performance. They discuss the mechanisms of how worms might affect the mind.

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“…Of these, five (reported in seven reports 18 24 30 33 35 – 37) reported cognitive outcomes, while two reports from one study included both cognitive and growth outcomes 45 46. Two trials that reported effects on growth or nutrition compared the effectiveness of different drug dosages or drugs and are not included in this review 48 49.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of treatment for intestinal helminth infection on growth and cognitive performance in children: systematic review of randomised trials

Dickson

Awasthi²,

Williamson³

et al. 2000

BMJ

188

131

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Objective To summarise the effects of anthelmintic drug treatment on growth and cognitive performance in children. Results Thirty randomised controlled trials in more than 15 000 children were identified. Effects on mean weight were unremarkable, and heterogeneity was evident in the results. There were some positive effects on mean weight change in the trials reporting this outcome: after a single dose (any anthelmintic) the pooled estimates were 0.24 kg (95% confidence interval 0.15 kg to 0.32 kg; fixed effects model assumed) and 0.38 kg (0.01 kg to 0.77 kg; random effects model assumed). Results from trials of multiple doses showed mean weight change in up to one year of follow up of 0.10 kg (0.04 kg to 0.17 kg; fixed effects) or 0.15 kg (0.00 to 0.30; random effects). At more than one year of follow up, mean weight change was 0.12 kg (−0.02 kg to 0.26 kg; fixed effects) and 0.43 (−0.61 to 1.47; random effects). Results from studies of cognitive performance were inconclusive. Conclusions There is some limited evidence that routine treatment of children in areas where helminths are common has effects on weight gain, but this is not consistent between trials. There is insufficient evidence as to whether this intervention improves cognitive performance. Data sources

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The effects of deworming on indicators of school performance in Guatemala

Cited by 55 publications

References 9 publications

A randomized controlled trial of the effect of antihelminthic treatment and micronutrient fortification on health status and school performance of rural primary school children

A randomized controlled trial of the effect of antihelminthic treatment and micronutrient fortification on health status and school performance of rural primary school children

"Stupidity or worms": Do intestinal worms impair mental performance?

Effects of treatment for intestinal helminth infection on growth and cognitive performance in children: systematic review of randomised trials

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