Bibliographic information
Recommendation
WHO recommends that health facilities provide access to treatment with praziquantel to control morbidity due to schistosomiasis in all infected individuals regardless of age, including infected pregnant excluding the first trimester, lactating women and pre-SAC aged < 2 years. The decision to administer treatment in children under 2 years of age should be based on testing and clinical judgement.
Recommended in favor
Strong
Certainty of evidence
Moderate
Notes and Remarks
Implementation consideration Pregnancy status should be assessed by discretely questioning the individual herself. If she is uncertain, a negative urine-based pregnancy test can be requested before the treatment is administrated. The medicine for children aged < 2 years should be an oral formulation (currently under development) that is easily administered, disintegrates in the mouth and, ideally, has a sweet taste and smell; if paediatric formulations are not available, praziquantel crushed in soft food may be used for individual case treatment only.