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Worms in children

Worms in a child's body

Helminths, or worms, are parasites that feed on the host's body and release toxins that affect the internal organs and systems. The most common groups are pinworms and roundworms, they are most often found in the body of young children and interact in the most hygienic way with the external environment. Worms interfere with the absorption of nutrients, minerals and vitamins, as they borrow them for their life, and poisoning from the products they release harms the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and in difficult cases, without timely intervention - muscles, lungs, Eyes, brain.

Ways of infection with worms:

  • Contact with land and water containing parasite eggs (sandpit and puddle are no exception);
  • the use of products that have not been properly processed - vegetable foods, meat, fish may contain worm eggs;
  • Neglect of hygiene;
  • Transmission of worms from mother to child during childbirth;
  • regular contact with animals, especially stray animals or animals that go outside;
  • visit a room with insects;
  • Contact with already infected children;
  • low immunity;
  • Moving to another country combined with physical strain and incomplete acclimatization.

Based on the causes of the disease, it is not difficult to develop a system of minimal prevention - teaching the child to wash their hands regularly, feed him only properly processed foods, and ensure hygiene in the house. Nevertheless, no one broke off contact with stray animals and licked the swing, which results in intestinal damage from parasites. Not all helminths immediately manifest themselves actively - they can be in the "sleep mode" of the body for years, so regular checks, especially in children, are extremely important.

Parasite classification

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

The first group are the primary cave worms. They live in soil and water, so it is easy to get infected with them in the sandpit and generally when taking a walk. This group includes the most common pinworms and roundworms, including hookworms, trichinella and rishta. Depending on which parasite caused the infection, ascariasis, enterobiasis, trichocephalosis, etc. are isolated.

Cestodoses are tapeworms that can live both in the intestine (tapeworms are the most common variant) and in organs (the larvae of tapeworms, echinococci and alveococci usually live there). Depending on which of these types of worms are found in children, a distinction is made between echinococcosis, teniasis, hymenolepiase, etc.

And the last of the three popular groups is trematosis, which is caused by trematodes. These are different types of flatworms - schistosome, cat / liver fluke, leukochloridium. They provoke opisthorchiasis (transmitted by fish of the cyprinid family) and fascioliasis (liver and biliary system diseases, infection by plants or with water).

Symptoms

There are many symptoms and private manifestations depend on which eggs of which helminths got into the body. Next we will talk about the common symptoms of all parasitic infections and then enterobiasis, ascariasis and 5 more types of infections.

Common symptoms:

  • increased irritability, restless sleep, decreased stamina and alertness, frequent tantrums and anger;
  • increased appetite associated with active weight loss;
  • Digestive system symptoms - diarrhea, constipation, nausea, pain in the right hypochondrium;
  • Dizziness and headache;
  • Food allergy;
  • flow from the nose;
  • Diseases and infections of the reproductive system;
  • brittle nails / hair;

Enterobiasis is helminthiasis in which pinworms infect the body. The larvae hatch from the eggs within 4-6 hours, in 2-4 weeks they become adults - grayish or white roundworms 5-10 mm in length. They settle in the appendix and appendix and lay eggs outside the anus - at night female pinworms go into the air for this purpose. This reproductive mechanism leads to severe itching at night - hence restless sleep, throwing back and forth, screaming.

Additional special symptoms:

  • nocturnal urination;
  • Grind 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. The larvae and eggs get into the body with insufficiently disinfected fresh fruits and vegetables. The development phase takes place in the intestine, after which they pass into the lymph and blood vessels and, with the blood and lymph flow, settle throughout the body - in the liver, heart, lungs. They then enter the oral cavity and are swallowed again. From this moment 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;
  • the temperature rises, sometimes up to 38 degrees;
  • Malaise and weakness occur;
  • Respiratory diseases develop - pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchial asthma;
  • Pressure drops;
  • Symptoms from the gastrointestinal tract appear - constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, pain in the form of contractions;
  • Fear of light;
  • Nightmares at night;
  • dry cough - phlegm with an orange tinge and bloody splatters.

Raising roundworms is more difficult than pinworms because the female lays nearly 250, 000 eggs a day. In no case should you rely on folk methods or buy the first available remedy in a pharmacy - be sure to consult a specialist.

These are not all worms in children that are colonized in the body. In total, there are more than 300 types of helminths worldwide, 70 of them in our country alone. In addition to the two types listed, 5 other types are widely used:

  • Trichocephalosis - characterized by a delay in physical and intellectual development, but in general it is almost asymptomatic;
  • opisthorchiasis - the temperature rises, the nodes of the lymphatic system increase, rashes appear;
  • Hymenolepiasis - the main consequence is rhinitis;
  • Toxocariasis - has many symptoms that distinguish it from other helminthiases: keratitis, choking cough, ophthalmitis, chorioretinitis, facial swelling;
  • wide tapeworm - characterized by anemia, intestinal diseases, abdominal pain.

Babies can show symptoms after a few weeks of life, for example when they receive eggs and larvae of worms from their mother during childbirth. As a rule, the symptoms manifest themselves in the form of a lack of weight gain, profuse salivation, skin rash, paleness, blue under the eyes and constipation. The child is constantly worried, screaming, sleeping and eating poorly. The screaming can be unbearable and the child turns blue.

Often times, worms are the cause of the development of lung diseases and are diagnosed with ultrasound or X-ray. Parasites, especially the tapeworm Echinococcus, can not only damage the airways, but also penetrate further into the brain and heart. In the areas of development of helminths in the lungs, scars, adhesions appear, the shape of the lungs begins to change. Such changes cause a wide variety of diseases - asthma, fibrosis, bronchitis, pleurisy, emphysema, etc. If the tapeworm gets into the lungs, echinococcosis develops when the parasite develops in the form of a cyst.

Symptoms largely depend on which helminth entered the body, but the child's concern and the presence of the above general symptoms should alarm parents. If you have signs of worms, make an appointment with your pediatrician or gastroenterologist for a timely test.

diagnosis

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

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 the feces - there must be no eggs in the feces, even if there is an infection. To be sure that worms are present, this diagnosis should be done three times, which takes time;
  • Smear - especially effective when infected with pinworms, since their eggs are located just outside the anus;
  • Analysis of feces for dysbiosis;
  • if there is a suspicion of infection of the internal organs, and not just the gastrointestinal tract - CT, X-ray, ultrasound.

Diagnosis allows you to accurately identify the type of parasite and prescribe specific treatment. The doctor prescribes medication, a diet, additional supportive measures, gives recommendations on care and hygiene.

In some cases, parents pay close attention to helminthiasis and are constantly concerned about their child's infection. This leads to regular "preventive" courses of heavy anthelmintics that are of no benefit to the baby's body. If the child does not lose weight, feels good, eats well, has a healthy complexion and does not have itching in the anus, then most likely they are healthy. If you want to convince yourself of this, it is better to get tested than to take an unnecessary course.

treatment

The course of therapy for worms in children includes several stages - preparation, therapy and cleaning. Throughout treatment, it is necessary to conduct restorative prophylaxis and carefully observe hygiene to avoid re-infection or infection of a family member. Some types of worms, such as tapeworms or echinococcus, can only be removed surgically.

In the preparatory stage, sorbents are absorbed, which 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 consists in the direct intake of anthelmintics in the form of tablets, suppositories or suspensions. Drugs 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 will help cope with larvae and eggs (is appointed 2 weeks after the first).

Purification is intended to rid the body of the remains of dead parasites. At this stage, sorbents, enemas and choleretics are used. You can help your baby by adding raw carrots, dairy products, coarse breads, fruits, vegetables, fish oil, nuts, especially walnuts and peanuts.

In addition, vitamin complexes, iron, minerals and a special diet can be used to restore the body in severe lesions that increase hemoglobin, restore liver function, and strengthen the body as a whole. The doctor will describe the treatment plan in detail in order to avoid the occurrence of side effects. Control tests are mandatory. Self-medication and deviations from the plan are not allowed.

Consequences of untreated parasitic infections

Helminthiasis poses a serious threat; without treatment, everything can end in death or serious health problems. An infected child is a danger to the whole family and the environment as it is the spread of the disease.

Complications of worms in children:

  • inflammatory exacerbation of appendicitis;
  • epileptic seizures;
  • Visual impairment of various types;
  • allergic reactions with profuse nasal discharge;
  • lag behind like-minded people in development;
  • Genital infections, most common in girls - vulvovaginitis;
  • various types of pulmonary manifestations to bronchial asthma;
  • in difficult cases - damage to the brain and heart.

prophylaxis

In order for the treatment of worms in children to be unnecessary at all, it is necessary to have active prevention, which consists of both daily precautions and hygiene, and the use of medicines.

How to protect your baby from a parasitic infection:

  • pay attention to hygiene - regularly wash the child's hands, bathe him;
  • regularly take care of toys - washing and cleaning (after the diagnosis, all toys must be disinfected);
  • Cut nails as often as possible, clean every day;
  • Ironing laundry after washing;
  • getting rid of bad habits - sucking fingers, sucking pens, biting nails;
  • give only boiled water to drink and explain the reasons;
  • avoid swimming in natural reservoirs;
  • use repellants (insects often carry the eggs of worms), destroy any insects that get into the house;
  • Check pets regularly for parasites;
  • Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly, heat treat meat and fish sufficiently.

Some types of helminthiasis are difficult to cure, so we recommend prophylaxis to avoid infection. When contacting the clinic, parents are given comprehensive advice on how prevention can be carried out correctly in order to avoid problems in the future.