Imported Schistosomiasis in Children: Clinical, Diagnostic Aspects and Outcome in 5 Tertiary Hospitals in France

INTRODUCTION:Schistosomiasis affects more than 230 million people worldwide. Given the increase in international travel and/or immigration from endemic regions, the incidence of imported schistosomiasis in France may be rising. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiologic, clinical, and paraclinical characteristics and disease outcome of imported schistosomiasis in children in the Paris region between 2010 and 2015. PATIENTS AND METHODS:All children diagnosed with schistosomiasis in five tertiary care centers in the Paris region were included in a retrospective study. Data on gender, age, comorbidities, endemic regions visited or original endemic country, clinical and biological characteristics, and the disease outcome were collected. The data analysis was purely descriptive. RESULTS:Forty children with a diagnosis of schistosomiasis were included. The median age was 11, and the M/F gender ratio was 3.4:1. The median time interval between symptom onset and the first consultation with a physician was 6 months. Thirty-seven children had a chronic urinary form with hematuria, and one had a complicated urinary form. Thirteen patients (32.5%) had a cousin or a sibling with current schistosomiasis. All the children (except for 4 immediately lost to follow-up) received at least one course of treatment with praziquantel, and 6 (17.2%) received two courses of praziquantel. Twenty-seven children (90%) became asymptomatic soon after treatment. The lost-to-follow up rate for the second consultation was 25% (10 children). CONCLUSION:The diagnosis and management of imported schistosomiasis must be improved – notably by raising awareness among clinicians and providing families with more information. The systematic screening of children returning from areas in which schistosomiasis is endemic should be considered.