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Biomedical subjects

M C Latham

Publications and source records attributed to M C Latham.

113 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
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Improvements in physical fitness of Kenyan schoolboys infected with hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides following a single dose of albendazole.

We studied physical fitness with the Harvard step test (HST), in primary schoolboys infected with hookworm (91% baseline prevalence), Trichuris trichiura (94%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (39-40%) who received a single 400 mg dose of albendazole or an identical placebo. Boys were examined, allocated at random to placebo or albendazole groups, treated, and re-examined 7 weeks later. The 2 groups did not differ significantly before treatment in age, anthropometry, haemoglobin levels, prevalence or intensity of the 3 helminth infections, or in initial HST fitness scores and heart rates. Seven weeks after treatment, the albendazole group (n = 18) exhibited significant improvements in fitness scores and heart rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 min after the HST while in the placebo group (n = 15) these quantities had not changed significantly. After treatment, the albendazole group had significant decreases in the logarithmic egg counts for hookworm (80% reduction in arithmetic means) and A. lumbricoides (100% reduction); T. trichiura egg counts did not change significantly. The placebo group showed a borderline increase in the logarithms of hookworm egg counts and no significant change in T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides egg counts. Multiple regression analysis showed that the significant linear predictors of increase in HST score after treatment were decrease in resting heart rate after treatment, and decreases in hookworm egg counts and logarithms of A. lumbricoides egg counts after treatment. We conclude that single dose treatment with albendazole, despite continual exposure to reinfection, can allow improved physical fitness in schoolboys in areas where soil-transmitted helminths and protein-energy malnutrition are highly prevalent.

Albendazole↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Needed research on the interactions of certain parasitic diseases and nutrition in humans.

For the purpose of assigning priorities for research, each of the following parasitic disease is examined in regard to its affect on the nutritional status of the host: schistosomiasis, malaria, amebiasis, giardiasis, ascariasis, and hookworm. The epidemiology, diagnosis, immune response to, and available therapies for these diseases are discussed. It is suggested that highest priority be given to three diseases: hookworm, ascariasis, and schistosomiasis, because they can be treated successfully, diagnosed easily, and have a high prevalence.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Protein-energy malnutrition--its epidemiology and control.

The four most important deficiency diseases in developing countries today are protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), xerophthalmia, nutritional anemias, and iodine deficiency disorders. Of these, PEM is the most important and the most difficult to control. The immediate cause is usually insufficient intake or proper utilization of energy and protein. However, the interaction of nutrition and infections plays an important role in PEM. Underlying causes include poverty, inequity, poor food production and distribution, and lack of knowledge. We now recognize that protein deficiency is less important than energy and food deficiency. The actual cause of the edema in kwashiorkor is still not proven. Better ways of defining PEM have been accepted. Mild or moderate PEM are best judged by anthropometry; regular weighing, for monitoring growth, may be a useful control strategy. Because infections play such an important role in PEM, three practical approaches-immunization, deworming of children, and oral rehydration therapy for diarrhea--are discussed. Modernization and Westernization have sometimes aggravated the problem of malnutrition in nonindustrialized countries. The decline in breast-feeding and greater use of infant formula provide a good example of this problem. Finally, economic improvement in the Third World is essential if PEM is to be greatly reduced.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improvements in growth following iron supplementation in young Kenyan school children.

The study was conducted to determine whether provision of oral supplementary iron to primary school children in Kenya would improve their growth. Children in the two lowest grades who satisfied study criteria were allocated to either an iron-supplementation group (n = 29) or a placebo group (n = 26). At the baseline before intervention the groups did not differ significantly in age, sex ratio, prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminthic infections, most anthropometric measurements or hemoglobin levels. Although the study lasted for 32 weeks, children only took iron or placebos on school days thus omitting weekends and school holidays. Examination at the end of the study showed that the iron-supplemented children had grown significantly more in terms of weight, weight for height, arm circumference and skinfold thickness compared with the placebo group. Hemoglobin levels had also improved significantly. We conclude that where iron deficiency anemia and undernutrition are prevalent in children, iron supplementation will improve growth and hemoglobin levels.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗