Baseline data on patient demographics, clinical characteristics and laboratory values.

Data are n (%) or means (SD). AST aspartate aminotransferase, ALT alanine aminotransferase. classified using weight for height and BMI for age in those aged ≤19 years and BMI in those aged >19: normal if −2SD≤ weight for height or BMI for age <+1SD or 18.5≤BMI<25.0; underweight if −3SD≤ weight for height or BMI for age <−2SD or 16.0≤BMI<18.5; severely underweight if weight for height or BMI for age <−3SD or BMI<16.0. 1 case of unconfirmed VL with no parasites detected (major protocol deviation, excluded from analysis) and one case of no parasite count recorded on a log scale in which VL was confirmed by lymph node aspirate. no parasite count recorded on a log scale in which VL was confirmed by lymph node aspirate.