Prognosis

In most cases the prognosis is excellent. Studies conducted many years ago showed that children with growth stunting and cognitive delays demonstrate increased growth velocity and improved cognition following therapy with albendazole.[29][59] One study in Kenya showed significantly greater increases in weight gain (0.7 kg vs. 0.5 kg) and skinfold thickness (2.0 mm vs. a previous decrease of 1.1 mm) after treatment with levamisole.[60] Researchers in Tanzania showed an 8% greater rate of weight gain in children treated for ascariasis than in controls.[61] Five 6-monthly rounds of single dose albendazole in malnourished preschool children in India yielded significant (35%) weight gain compared to controls.[62]

Patients presenting with more severe medical sequelae of ascariasis have a far worse prognosis. In particular, patients who present with complete bowel obstruction are likely to have underlying malnutrition and to develop surgical and infectious complications. Mortality is also higher in patients requiring intestinal resection. In one study, 11.8% of patients requiring resection for ascariasis had fatal outcomes, as opposed to <8% of those patients requiring manual advancement, enterotomy, appendectomy, or another surgical procedure.[59][63]

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