Visceral Leishmaniasis in Children

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan parasitic disease. Leishmaniasis is divided into 3 categories, e.g. Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis (MCL). For VL, the estimated number of new cases per year may have decreased to <100,000, but previous estimates ranged up to 400,000 or more cases. Clinically, the Visceral leishmaniasis is characterized by fever (>14 days), loss of weight, anemia and splenomegaly. Children are affected and may die in two years if left untreated. Diagnosis is confirmed by demonstration of the parasite (Leishmania donovani) from bone marrow or splenic aspirate. A number of effective drugs are available to treat the disease including children. Oral drug Miltefosine is highly effective to treat VL in children.