Recommend
Official site Wortex
Slovenia (en)
Flag (Slovenia)

Worms in children

worms in the child's body

Helminths or worms are parasites that feed on the host's body and secrete toxins that affect internal organs and systems.The most common groups are pinworms and roundworms;they are most common in the bodies of young children who interact with the external environment in the most unhygienic ways.Worms interfere with the absorption of nutrients, minerals and vitamins, as they use them for their vital functions, and intoxication from the products they secrete damages the liver, the gastrointestinal tract, and in complex cases, without timely intervention, the muscles, lungs, eyes and brain.

Ways of infection with worms:

  • contact with soil and water that contain parasite eggs (the sandbox and the puddle are no exception);
  • consumption of food that has not been processed properly - plant foods, meat, fish may contain worm eggs;
  • neglect of hygiene;
  • transmission of worms from mother to child during childbirth;
  • regular contact with animals, especially street animals or those that go outside;
  • visiting an insect room;
  • contacts with already infected children;
  • low immunity;
  • moving to another country associated with stress on the body and incomplete acclimatization.

Based on the causes of the disease, it is not difficult to develop a minimum prevention system - teach the child to wash his hands regularly, feed him only properly processed foods and ensure sanitary control in the house.However, no one has canceled contact with street animals and licking swings;the result is intestinal damage from parasites.Not all helminths manifest themselves immediately - they can remain latent in the body for years, so regular checks, especially in children, are extremely important.

Classification of parasites

Different types of worms affect the body in different ways and have their own characteristics both in the development cycle and in appearance and the damage caused.There are three most common groups of worms: nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes.

The first group is the protocavitary worms.They live in soil and water, so they can easily become infected in the sandbox and during a walk in general.It is this group that includes the most common pinworms and roundworms, as well as hookworms, trichinella and guinea worms.Depending on which parasite caused the infection, ascariasis, enterobiosis, trichuriasis, etc. are distinguished.

Cestodes are tapeworms that can live both in the intestines (the most common variant is tapeworms) and in the organs (that's where the larvae of tapeworms, echinococci and alveococci usually live).Depending on which of these types of worms are found in children, echinococcosis, teniosis, hymenolepiasis, etc. are distinguished.

And the last of the three popular groups is trematosis caused by trematodes.These are several types of flatworms - schistosome, cat/liver fluke, leucochlorid.They provoke opisthorchosis (transmitted by fish of the carp family) and fascioliasis (suffer the liver and biliary system, infection through plants or water).

Symptoms

There are many symptoms, and individual manifestations depend on which helminth eggs have entered the body.Then we will talk about the general symptoms for all parasitic infections, and then about enterobiasis, ascariasis and 5 more types of infections.

Common symptoms:

  • increased irritability, restless sleep, reduced persistence and attention, frequent tantrums and anger;
  • increased appetite associated with active weight loss;
  • symptoms from the digestive system - diarrhea, constipation, nausea, pain in the right hypochondrium;
  •  
  • dizziness and headache;
  • food allergies;
  • discharge from the nose;
  • diseases and infections of the reproductive system;
  • brittle nails/hair;
  •  

Enterobiasis is a helminthiasis in which the body is infected with pinworms.The larvae hatch from the eggs within 4-6 hours;after 2-4 weeks they become adults - grayish or white roundworms with a length of 5-10 mm.They settle in the caecum and appendix and lay eggs outside the anus - at night the female pinworms come out into the air for this purpose.This reproduction mechanism leads to severe itching at night – hence restless sleep, tossing and screaming.

Additional special symptoms:

  • bedwetting;
  • teeth grinding;
  •  
  •  

Ascariasis is a helminthiasis in which the body is colonized by roundworms.These worms are now larger - the average length of an adult is 25-30 cm. Larvae and eggs enter the body with insufficiently disinfected fresh fruits and vegetables.The period of development takes place in the intestines, after which they pass into the lymphatic and blood vessels and with the flow of blood and lymph are spread throughout the body - in the liver, heart, lungs.They then enter the oral cavity and are re-swallowed.From this moment, adult roundworms begin to develop.This takes approximately 3 months.

How to suspect the presence of worms in children:

  • the liver, spleen, lymph nodes increase;
  • the temperature rises, sometimes up to 38 degrees;
  • malaise and weakness appear;
  • respiratory pathologies develop - pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchial asthma;
  • pressure drops;
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms appear - constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, pain in the form of contractions;
  • fear of light;
  • nightmares at night;
  • dry cough - sputum with an orange tint and blood spots.

It is more difficult to breed roundworms than pinworms, because the female lays almost 250 thousand eggs every day.In no case should you rely on traditional methods or buy the first drug you come across at the pharmacy - be sure to contact a specialist.

These are not all worms in children that inhabit the body.There are more than 300 types of helminths in the world, and 70 of them are found in our country alone.In addition to the two listed species, 5 more species become widespread:

  • trichocephalosis - is characterized by a delay in physical and intellectual development, but is generally almost asymptomatic;
  • opisthorchosis - the temperature rises, the nodes of the lymphatic system increase, skin rashes appear;
  • hymenolepiasis - the main consequence is rhinitis;
  • toxocarosis - has many symptoms that distinguish it from other helminth infections: keratitis, cough with suffocation, ophthalmitis, chorioretinitis, swelling of the face;
  • broad tapeworm - characterized by anemia, intestinal disorders, abdominal pain.

Babies can experience symptoms after only a few weeks of life if they received worm eggs and larvae from their mother, for example during birth.As a rule, symptoms are manifested in the form of lack of weight gain, excessive salivation, rash, pallor, blue under the eyes, constipation.The child is constantly worried, screams, sleeps and eats poorly.The screaming can be unbearable and the baby will turn blue in the process.

Worms are often the cause of the development of lung pathologies and are diagnosed with ultrasound or X-rays.Parasites, in particular Echinococcus tapeworm, can damage not only the respiratory system, but also move further to the brain and heart.In the places where helminths develop in the lungs, scars and adhesions appear, and the shape of the lungs begins to change.Such changes provoke a wide range of diseases - asthma, fibrosis, bronchitis, pleurisy, emphysema, etc.When a tapeworm enters the lungs, echinococcosis is formed, when the parasite develops in the form of a cyst.

The symptoms will largely depend on which helminth has entered the body, but the child's anxiety and the presence of the above general symptoms should alert parents.If signs of worms appear, make an appointment with a pediatrician or gastroenterologist to be examined promptly.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of worms in children is carried out in different ways - depending on what worms the child is infected with, the habitat, location of the eggs and toxins found in the body will differ.

To make a diagnosis, the following may be prescribed:

  • blood test - shows anemia, hemoglobin and eosinophil levels;
  • analysis for parasites - in 99% of cases helps to detect helminthiasis and in most cases helps to accurately determine the species (biomaterial for research - blood from a vein);
  • stool examination - there may be no eggs in the stool, even if there is an infection, to ensure the presence of worms, this diagnosis must be carried out 3 times, which takes time;
  • smear - especially effective in case of pinworm infection, since their eggs are located just outside the anus;
  • stool analysis for dysbacteriosis;
  • if there is a suspicion of infection of the internal organs, and not only of the gastrointestinal tract - CT, X-rays, ultrasound.

Diagnostics allows you to accurately identify the type of parasite and prescribe specific treatment.The doctor prescribes medicines, diet, additional supporting procedures, gives recommendations for care and hygiene.

In some cases, parents pay increased attention to helminthiasis and constantly worry about not infecting their child.This leads to regular "preventive" courses of serious anthelmintic drugs, which do not bring any benefit to the baby's body.If your child is not losing weight, feels well, eats well, has a healthy complexion and no itchiness in the anal area, he is probably healthy.If you want to make sure of this, it is better to test yourself than to take an unnecessary course.

Treatment

The course of treatment of worms in children includes several stages - preparation, therapy and cleaning.During the entire treatment, it is necessary to carry out general preventive measures and carefully observe hygiene in order to avoid repeated infections or infections of one of the family members.Some types of worms, such as tapeworms and echinococci, can only be removed surgically.

The preparatory stage includes taking sorbents that absorb toxins and cleanse the body.They are followed by antihistamines, they relieve general itching and prevent the development of allergic reactions to drugs.

Treatment of helminthiasis in children at the main stage is direct administration of anthelmintic drugs in the form of tablets, suppositories or suspensions.Medicines are selected depending on the type of helminth, individual indications and contraindications.Some anthelmintics work in 2 doses:

  • the first course kills already developed individuals;
  • the second course helps to deal with larvae and eggs (prescribed 2 weeks after the first).

Cleansing is designed to rid the body of the remains of dead parasites;at this stage, sorbents, enemas and choleretic drugs are used.You can help your baby by adding raw carrots, dairy products, wholemeal bread, fruits, vegetables, fish oil, nuts, especially walnuts and peanuts to the diet.

In addition, vitamin complexes, iron, minerals and a special diet can be used to restore the body in case of serious damage, which will increase hemoglobin, restore liver function and strengthen the body as a whole.The doctor details the treatment plan, avoiding side effects.Control tests are required.Self-medication and deviation from the plan are not allowed.

Consequences of untreated parasitic infestations

Helminthiasis is a serious danger;without treatment, it can lead to death or serious health problems.An infected child poses a danger to the entire family and the environment as it spreads the disease.

Complications of worms in children:

  • inflammatory exacerbation of appendicitis;
  • epileptic seizures;
  • visual impairment of several types;
  • allergic reactions with abundant nasal discharge;
  • lagging behind peers;
  • sexually transmitted infections, the most common in girls being vulvovaginitis;
  • various types of pulmonary manifestations, including bronchial asthma;
  • in difficult cases - brain and heart damage.

Prevention

To ensure that the treatment of worms in children is not required at all, it is necessary to actively engage in prevention, which consists of both daily precautions and hygiene procedures, as well as taking medication.

How to protect your baby from parasite infection:

  • Maintain hygiene - regularly wash the child's hands and bathe him;
  • regularly takes care of toys - washing and cleaning (after diagnosis, all toys must be disinfected);
  • cut your nails as often as possible, clean them every day;
  • iron clothes after washing;
  • get rid of bad habits - sucking fingers, pens, biting nails;
  • give only boiled water to drink and explain the reasons;
  • avoid swimming in natural bodies of water;
  • use repellents (insects often carry worm eggs), destroy all insects that enter the house;
  • regularly check pets for parasites;
  • Wash fruits and vegetables well, perform sufficient heat treatment of meat and fish.

Some types of helminthiasis are difficult to treat, so we recommend preventive measures to avoid infection.When contacting the clinic, parents will receive full advice on how to properly carry out prevention to avoid problems in the future.