Worms in children

Helminths or worms are parasites that feed on the body of the host and release toxins that affect internal organs and systems. The most common groups are pinworms and roundworms, most often found in the body of young children, interacting with the external environment in not the most hygienic way. Worms interfere with the assimilation of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, because they lend them to life, and intoxication with the products they release damages the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and in severe cases without timely intervention - muscles, lungs, eyes, brain.

Ways of worm infection:

• contact with soil and water, which contain parasite eggs (sandstone and pond are no exception);
• use of products that have not undergone proper processing - plant foods, meat, fish may contain worm eggs;
• neglect of hygiene;
• mother-to-child transmission of worms during childbirth;
• regular contact with animals, especially street animals or those that go outside;
• visiting rooms with insects;
• contact with already infected children;
• low immunity;
• relocation to another country, associated with stress and incomplete acclimatization.

Based on the cause of the disease, it is not difficult to develop a system of minimal prevention - teach the child to wash his hands regularly, feed him only properly processed food, and ensure sanitary supervision at home. However, no one canceled the contact with street animals and licking the swing, the result is damage to the intestines from parasites. Not all helminths are active immediately - they can be in the body in "sleeping" mode for years, so regular check-ups, especially for children, are extremely important.

Classification of parasites

Different types of worms do not affect the organism in the same way, and they have their own characteristics both in the development cycle and in appearance and damage. There are three most common groups of worms - nematodes, cestodes, trematodes.

The first group are the primary worms of the cavity. They live in soil and water, so they are easily infected in the sandstone and generally on walks. This group includes the most common pinworms and roundworms, and there are hookworms, Trichinella, scab. Depending on which parasite caused the infection, ascariasis, enterobiosis, trichocephalus, etc. are isolated.

Cestodes are tapeworms that can live both in the intestines (the most common variant is tapeworms) and in organs (as a rule, tapeworm larvae, echinococci, alveococci live there). According to which of these types of worms is found in children, echinococcosis, teniasis, hymenolepiasis, etc. differ.

And the last of the three popular groups are trematosis caused by trematodes. These are several species of flatworms - schistosomiasis, feline / hepatic fluke, leukochloridium. They provoke opisthorchiasis (transmitted to fish from the cyprinid family) and fascioliasis (liver and biliary system damage, infection through plants or water).

Symptoms

There are many symptoms, and the private manifestations depend on which eggs from which the helminth entered the body. Then we will talk about the common symptoms for all parasitic infections, and then about enterobiosis, ascariasis and 5 other types of infections.

Common symptoms:

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

Enterobiasis is helminthiasis, in which pinworms infect the body. The larvae hatch within 4-6 hours, and in 2-4 weeks they become adults - grayish or white roundworms 5-10 mm long. They are placed in the appendix and appendix and lay eggs outside the anus - at night for this purpose pinworm females come out into the air. This mechanism of reproduction leads to severe itching at night - hence restless sleep, rolling over, screaming.

Additional special symptoms:

• nocturnal urination;
• grinding teeth;

Ascariasis is a helminthiasis, in which the body is colonized by roundworms. These worms are already more significant - 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 are deposited by the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body - in the liver, heart, lungs. Then they enter the oral cavity and swallow again. From this point on, adult roundworms begin to develop. This takes about 3 months.

How to suspect the presence of worms in children:

• liver, spleen, lymph nodes are enlarged;
• temperature rises, sometimes up to 38 degrees;
• weakness and weakness occur;
• respiratory pathologies develop - pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchial asthma;
• pressure drop;
• symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract appear - constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, pain in the form of contractions;
• fear of light;
• nightmares at night;
• dry cough - mucus with an orange tinge and bloody spray.

Growing roundworms is harder than pinworm, because the female lays almost 250, 000 eggs every day. In no case should you rely on folk methods or buy the first available drug at the pharmacy - be sure to consult a specialist.

These are not all worms in children that colonize the body. In total, there are more than 300 species of helminths in the world, and only in our country there are 70. In addition to the two listed types, there are 5 more types:

• trichocephaly - characterized by retardation in physical and intellectual development, but generally almost asymptomatic;
• opisthorchiasis - fever rises, lymph nodes increase, skin rashes appear;
• hymenolepiasis - the main consequence is rhinitis;
• toxocariasis - there are many symptoms that distinguish it from other helminthiasis: keratitis, cough choking, ophthalmitis, chorioretinitis, facial swelling;
• broad tapeworm - characterized by anemia, intestinal disorders, abdominal pain.

Babies can show symptoms after a few weeks of life if they receive eggs and worm larvae from their mother, for example, during childbirth. As a rule, the symptomatology manifests itself in the form of lack of weight gain, profuse salivation, rash, paleness, blue under the eyes and constipation. The child is constantly worried, screams, sleeps poorly and eats. Screaming can be unbearable, and the child will be flooded.

Worms are often the cause of the development of pulmonary pathologies and are diagnosed by ultrasound or X-ray. Parasites, especially echinococcus tapeworms, can damage not only the respiratory system, but also the brain and heart. In areas of helminth development in the lungs appear scars, adhesions, the shape of the lungs begins to change. Such changes cause a wide range of diseases - asthma, fibrosis, bronchitis, pleurisy, emphysema, etc. When tapeworm enters the lungs, echinococcosis occurs, 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 concern and the presence of the above general symptoms should alert the parents. If you have signs of worms, make an appointment with your pediatrician or gastroenterologist to perform the tests on time.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of worms in children is carried out in different ways - depending on which worms the child is infected with, it differs in habitat, location of eggs and toxins found in the body.

The following can be assigned for diagnosis:

• blood test - shows anemia, hemoglobin and eosinophil levels;
• analysis for parasites - in 99% of cases it helps to detect helminthiasis, and in most cases - to accurately determine the type (biomaterial for research - blood from a vein);
• examination of feces - there may be no eggs in the feces, even if there is an infection, to be sure of the presence of worms, this diagnosis should be carried out 3 times, which takes time;
• swab - especially effective in pinworms infection, because their eggs are located just outside the anus;
• fecal analysis for dysbiosis;
• if there is a suspicion of infection of internal organs, and not only the gastrointestinal tract - CT, X-ray, ultrasound.

Diagnosis allows you to accurately determine the type of parasite and prescribe specific treatment. The doctor prescribes medication, diet, additional accompanying procedures, gives recommendations for care and hygiene.

In some cases, parents pay more attention to helminthiasis and are constantly worried about their child's infection. This leads to regular "preventive" courses of serious anthelmintics, which do not bring any benefit to the baby's body. If the child does not lose weight, feels good, eats well, has a healthy complexion and no itching in the anus, it is most likely healthy. If you want to be convinced of that, it is better to test yourself than to go on an unnecessary course.

Treatment

The course of worm therapy in children includes several stages - preparation, therapy and cleaning. Throughout the treatment, it is necessary to carry out restorative prophylaxis and carefully monitor hygiene in order to avoid re-infection or infection of a family member. Some types of worms, such as tapeworm or echinococcus, can only be removed surgically.

The preparatory phase involves the intake of sorbents that absorb toxins and cleanse the body. They are accompanied by antihistamines, relieve general itching and prevent the development of allergic reactions to drugs.

The treatment of helminthiasis in children in the main phase is the direct taking 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 steps:

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

Purification is designed to rid the body of the remains of dead parasites, in this phase sorbents, enemas, choleretics are used. You can help your baby by adding raw carrots, dairy products, wholemeal bread, fruits, vegetables, fish oil, nuts, especially nuts and peanuts.

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

Consequences of untreated parasitic infections

Helminthiasis is full of serious dangers, without treatment everything can end in death or significant health problems. An infected child is a danger to the whole family and the environment, because it represents the spread of the disease.

Worm complications in children:

• inflammatory exacerbation of appendicitis;
• epileptic seizures;
• visual impairment of several types;
• allergic reactions with profuse nasal discharge;
• lagging behind peers in development;
• genital infections, most common in girls - vulvovaginitis;
• various types of pulmonary manifestations, up to bronchial asthma;
• in severe cases - damage to the brain and heart.

Prophylaxis

That the treatment of worms in children is not necessary at all, it is necessary to actively deal with prevention, which consists of daily precautions and hygienic procedures, as well as taking medication.

How to protect your baby from parasitic infections:

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

Some types of helminthiasis are difficult to cure, so we recommend prophylaxis to avoid infection. When contacting the clinic, parents will receive complete advice on how to properly implement prevention in order to avoid problems in the future.