Clinical efficacy of nitazoxanide treatment in children with giardiasis

Enteric infection by giardia lambia is a common cause of diarrhoea not only in pakistan but throughout the world. it is considered as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric age group. aim: this study was undertaken to see the efficacy of nitazoxanide treatment in diarrhoea caused by g. lambia in children. methods: a total of 50 children presenting with diarrhoea caused by g. intestinalis were subjected to treatment with a 3-day course of nitazoxanide (10mg/kg/day in 2 doses for 3 days). the patients were followed-up for a determination of clinical response 7 days after the initiation of treatment,and subsequent stool sample was collected for parasitological examination and giardia antigen tests. results: diarrhoea had resolved in all children out of 50 (100%) with the nitazoxanide treatment before the day 7 follow-up visit. diarrhoea resolved within 4 days in most cases. giardia antigen became negative in 96.0% of population after 3 days treatment. while giardia trophozite and/or ova/cyst became negative in 86.0 % patient population. conclusions: a 3-day course of nitazoxanide suspension is as efficacious as a treatment in treating giardiasis in children. it is well tolerated and have no significant side effects. © 2015,pakistan pediatric journal. all rights reserved.