Intestinal worm infections are common in children worldwide, often resulting from contact with contaminated soil or poor hygiene. These parasitic infections reside in the child’s gastrointestinal tract. While usually not severe, these parasites can interfere with nutrient absorption, potentially affecting a child’s growth and overall well-being. Treatment and prevention primarily involve specific medications and improved sanitation habits.
Common Medications and Their Action
The treatment for intestinal worm infections in children typically involves a class of anti-parasitic medicines known as anthelmintics. The two most widely used and broad-spectrum medications are albendazole and mebendazole, which are often available over-the-counter in many regions. These medications are highly effective against the most common types of worms, including pinworms, roundworms, and hookworms.
Both albendazole and mebendazole belong to the benzimidazole group and share a similar mechanism of action. They work by interfering with the worm’s cellular structures. This interference blocks the parasite’s ability to absorb glucose and other necessary nutrients, essentially starving the worm until it dies and is expelled from the body.
Current deworming medications eliminate adult worms and larvae but cannot destroy the eggs. Therefore, a single dose may need to be repeated after about two weeks to target any eggs that have since hatched. Pyrantel pamoate is another common anthelmintic; it works differently by inducing paralysis in the worms, causing them to detach from the intestinal wall and pass out of the body.
Recommended Dosing and Schedule
The specific dose of deworming medication is standardized based on age, not weight. For children two years of age and older, the common recommendation is a single dose of 400 mg of albendazole or 500 mg of mebendazole. Children between 12 and 23 months old are typically given a half-dose (200 mg of albendazole).
For routine preventive treatment in areas where worm infections are common, deworming every four to six months is often suggested. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends this preventive chemotherapy for young children in high-prevalence areas. A doctor may prescribe a different schedule or duration of treatment, such as mebendazole twice a day for three days, depending on the specific type of worm infection identified.
The medication can be administered with or without food at any time of day. To minimize the rare chance of mild side effects like nausea or abdominal discomfort, some experts suggest giving the medicine after breakfast. Conversely, for maximum effectiveness, a dose administered two hours after dinner or early in the morning on an empty stomach is sometimes recommended.
Signs Your Child May Need Deworming
While routine deworming is common in some regions, specific symptoms often indicate an active infection requiring treatment. The most common sign of a pinworm infection is intense itching around the anus, particularly at night when the female worms migrate to lay eggs. This discomfort can lead to restless sleep and irritability.
Other generalized symptoms suggesting intestinal worms include frequent abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements, such as loose or hard stools. Since the worms consume nutrients, parents may also observe loss of appetite, failure to gain weight, or persistent fatigue and paleness due to potential anemia. If these symptoms are present, a healthcare provider can confirm the diagnosis, sometimes using a simple “sticky tape test” to check for pinworm eggs.
Prevention Strategies
Using medication to treat an active infection must be paired with diligent hygiene practices to prevent reinfection and transmission to others. The eggs of many intestinal worms, especially pinworms, can be easily spread through contaminated hands, clothing, bedding, and surfaces. Therefore, strict personal hygiene is the first line of defense against these parasites.
The most effective preventive measure is thorough handwashing with soap and water, especially after using the toilet or playing outdoors and before eating or preparing food. Parents should also ensure children’s fingernails are kept short and clean, as worm eggs can easily hide underneath and be transferred to the mouth. Furthermore, regularly washing bedding and undergarments in hot water can eliminate any eggs that have been deposited on the fabric.
Environmental and food safety measures also play a significant role in prevention. These include ensuring that all fruits and vegetables are washed thoroughly before consumption and that meat is cooked to the proper internal temperature. Preventing children from walking barefoot, especially in areas with poor sanitation or soil contact, minimizes the risk of infection.