Worms in children, also known in medicine as parasites, are organisms that live and manifest in the intestines of both adults and children. Some of these little creatures that decide to settle in someone else’s belly can be seen with the naked eye, as is the case with the well-known roundworms.
There are little creatures that cannot be easily seen and are known as parasitic protozoa, such as Giardia1. Transmission of both occurs through the ingestion of parasite eggs, which can happen through poorly washed food that still carries traces of soil or even simply when a child puts dirty hands in their mouth after playing. This is why you will rarely hear about worms in children under 6 months of age, as they have little contact with the floor and are not exposed to the risk factors. Another group outside the risk for worms in children are those who are exclusively breastfed, as they are not at risk of ingesting contaminated food.
One of the most well-known and most frequently occurring worms in children is the roundworm2. This worm can reach up to 40 cm inside a small tummy, more precisely, inside the intestine. The roundworm develops and feeds on the body’s nutrients, which leads to serious health problems such as:
- Delayed growth
- Intestinal obstruction (which causes the child’s belly to become swollen)
- Mood and behavioral changes in the child
Not all children with worms show symptoms; sometimes they are only detected through a specific stool test, but when symptoms do occur, they can be varied, including:
- Frequent abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Appetite changes (may increase or decrease)
- Weight changes
- Lack of energy
Another parasite, less common nowadays but still possible, is the one that causes the well-known “hookworm”, which ends up sucking blood from the child’s intestine, taking away all the child’s nutrients and causing iron, protein, and vitamin deficiencies, leading to anemia. Hookworm can cause heart and lung problems and can also impair the child’s growth and development. This type of worm usually infects a child through skin contact, usually when stepping in contaminated areas.
How to Treat Children with Worms?
There is a wide range of worm treatments available, but they should always be prescribed by the pediatrician. Based on tests or even symptoms, the doctor will determine what type of worm it is and what dosage the child should take. It is advisable to have stool tests done regularly, obviously when requested by the child’s pediatrician and when deemed necessary.
How to Prevent Worms in Children?
Good hygiene is essential to keep worms and all types of parasites away not only from children but also from the whole family. Pets should also be properly dewormed to prevent infection through their feces by people in direct contact with them, so it is important to consult a veterinarian.
Other recommended daily precautions include:
- Always wash hands before meals and after using the bathroom
- Drink only potable, filtered, or boiled water
- Wash foods thoroughly, especially vegetables, greens, and fruits
- Cook food well, especially pork
- Keep the house and areas where children play always clean
Avoid walking barefoot and putting hands in the mouth, even though this is a real challenge when a child is in the oral phase or has the habit of biting their nails, but these are necessary precautions to prevent contamination and, consequently, to prevent worms in children3.
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