RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF IRON AND ANTHELMINTICS IN THE TREATMENT OF HOOKWORM ANEMIA1

Abstract

Tests with iron alone, with anthelmintic alone, and with iron and anthelmintic were made separately on groups of anemic, and hookworm-infested rural school children in Puerto Rico. Administration of iron was followed by a rapid and striking increase in hemoglobin, but if the parasites were not removed there was a fall in the Hb level within 5 months. Following anthelmintic treatment there was a slow rise in Hb values reaching a satisfactory level in from 1 to 2 years. Anthelmintic treatment supplemented by a small amt. of Fe gave the most satisfactory results in the maintenance of the Hb level.