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Tropical Medicine institute "Pedro Kouri"

Collateral effects of lindane in children with pediculosis

SUMMARY

The collateral effects of lindane in children with pediculosis were reported. 551 students of primary were put under treatment, and he was observed 2.54 % of them with adverse reactions the medicine. It was recommended to elevate the knowledge on this parasitación and to avoid the indiscriminate use of chemical substances and other products to eliminate the lice.

Description DeCS: INFESTACIONES BY PIOJOS/quimioterapia; LINDANE/efectos adverse; SCHOOLS; BOY.

With the objective to diminish the parasitación by Pediculus capitis , and to detect the collateral effects of lindane 1 %, 551 children between 7 and 14 years were put under treatment, coming from 3 schools of the municipality Seat of the Revolution, that were positive to this infestación. Previous to the treatment one asked for in writing the authorization of the parents, as well as information on possible sufferings of his children. A single application of lindane was made, and the 8 head later washed h, according to the established thing.

During the treatment made in the schools, by the enabled personnel of health to apply it, the measures necessary were taken to avoid the contact of the pediculicida with the eyes and the skin. The children were later observed during the treatment and 1 h. Later they were sent to his homes and the following day they visited themselves, to know verbal form by the parents the state of health the return of the school.

The treatment was effective in 75 % of the cases, and the following indirect effect were observed: 6 (0.95 %) of the children in the beginning showed sensation of annoyance in the eyes or during the application of the medicine; 2 (0.32 %) perceived disagreeable scent, minutes after treaties; 3 (0.49 %) complained headache; in 1 case (0.16 %) urticaria noticed and in 2 (0.32 %) neurological affectations appeared. This last one happened in 2 children of 10 and 12 years, and in one of them it was pronounced by means of convulsions by epilepsy; according to his mother, in other occasions it had happened to him the same. The other was asthmatic, allergic and epiléptica and the same mother without indication, applied the treatment. As consequence the girl presented/displayed an attack of epilepsy by a greater time of the one than habitually it accustomed, accompanied of cyanosis.

Some authors have indicated that lindane is between insecticides of greater toxicity; 1 nevertheless was frequents to find during the revision of the heads to detect the positive, young cases that they maintained in the hair greasy of oily composition, destined to veterinary use and whose main component is that insecticide, with the only objective to prevent the infestación. The oncogénico character of lindane has been mentioned by some authors, the 2 like neurotoxic reactions that are able to produce in children and adults. 2,3 Although in some countries its use very is generalized, mainly in form of champú, Courtiade and others raise that no adverse effect has been reported, 4 says that the danger is in its unsuitable use. 5 one has commented that the chemotherapy is the best and only method to control and to eradicate the pediculosis, 6 but which is the consequence of its use? The pediculicidas treatments do not solve of once, but that are subject to continuous applications, directly on the people and in their majority young. The routes are several through which the chemical agents can damage and these treatments in most of the cases without facultative prescription, she is one of them, 7 especially when they are made in children and whose state of health is not good. 8 He is frequent that the population without direction and sometimes without obtaining results, uses a product or another 9 that are or it is said are pediculicidas, and the affectations are not known that can cause to the human. The affirmations on the importance of elevating the knowledge on this parasitación agree with other authors. 10

It is necessary to acquire conscience and to develop a strategy of fight against the pediculosis. The early detection of the parasite and its manual control, avoid that discharges take place infestaciones and therefore miniminice the use of chemical substances. The most healthful method is the scheduled inspection of the head and the manual extraction or with a comb of fine teeth of liendres. The pediculosis is not a disease, but a ectoparásito that affects million people 11 and is in the educational centers where it affects more, reason for which requires of the joint fight of the personnel of health, educators and parents to diminish and to eliminate the infestación in benefit of the infantile population.

SUMMARY

The side effects of lindane in children with pediculosis were reported. 2.54% of the 551 primary school children who underwent treatment had to adver reactions to this drug. It was recommended to increase knowledge about this parasitization and to avoid the indiscriminate uses of chemicals and to other products to eliminate lices.

Subject headings: LICE INFESTATIONS/drug therapy; LINDANE/adver effects; SCHOOLS; CHILD.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

  1. Andrew EB, Joseph MC, Magenheim MJ, Tilson HH, Doi PA, Schultz MW. Postmarketing surveillance study of permethrin elite rinse. A.m. J Public Health 1982;82(6):857-61.
  2. Chunge RN, Scott FAITH, Underwood JE, Zavarella KJ. To review of the epidemiology, public health importance, treatment and control of head lice. Dog J Public Health 1991;82:196-200.
  3. Fischer TF. Lindane toxicity in a 24 to year old woman. Ann Emerg Med 1994;24(25):972-4.
  4. Courtiade C, Labreze C, Fontan J, Taieb To, Malaveille J. pediculose du Cheveiu. Even Enquete questionnaire dans quatre groupe scolaires of L ? academie of Bordeaux in 1990-91. Ann Dermatol Venerol 1993;120(5):363-8.
  5. National Pediculosis Association. Lindane isn ? t Time to say no? Progress. Newsl Nat Pediculosis Assoc 1986;2(3):1.
  6. Fan PC, Chung WC, Kuo CL, Lin Cy, Hen HM, Chuang CH, ET to. Evaluation of efficacy of four pediculicidaes against head louse ( Pediculus capitis ) Infestation Koohyssiung. J Med Sci 1992;8: 225-65.
  7. Bouree P, Bisaro F, Issore C, Renaudin PH. Revue DES accidents DES pediculicides, to propo d, cas of dermatite bulleuse of contac au parapoux. Bull Soc Fr Parasitol 1994;12(1):75-80.
  8. World Health Organization. Report from the Ministry of Health. Israel. Wkly Epidemiol Rec 1987;62(47):358-9.
  9. Magec J. Unsafe practices in the treatment of pediculosis capitis. J Sch N urs 1996;12(1):17-20.
  10. Guillermo GM, Llerena CO Study on intervention of pediculosis and escabiosis. IV National Congress of Higiene and Epidemiología. I National Congress of Infectología I. Scientific Reunio'n of American the Ibero Society of Epidemiología. Havana 18-22 Nov 1996.
  11. Sokolof F. Identification and management of pediculosis. Nurse Pract 1994:19(8):62-4.

Received: 12 of February of the 2000. Approved: 6 of June of the 2000.
Lic. Natividad Hernandez Contreras. Tropical Medicine institute "Pedro Kouri '". Section 601, Marianao 13, City of Havana, Cuba. Electronic mail: ciipk@ipk.sld.cu

1 Added Investigator. Tropical Medicine institute "Pedro Kouri '" (IPK).
2 Added Investigator. IPK.
3 Added Investigator. IPK.
4 General Medicine Specialist Integral. Policlínico "Forbidden" Habana.
5 Specialist of I Degree in Clinical Parasitology, Hospital Pediátrico "Pedro Borrás" Professor Asistente. Medicine faculty "Commander Manuel Fajardo".

 

 

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