Knowing the symptoms and treatment of roundworms in children is very important for any parent. A poorly washed apple or favorite sand in a children's sandbox can easily cause various parasites to enter the baby's body. Roundworms are much more common in children than in adults. This helminth can grow up to 40 cm in length and parasitize any organ or environment of the child’s body. That is why, sooner or later, almost every person is faced with the question of why roundworms are dangerous and how to treat such a disease.
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What are roundworms?
Ascaris is a round parasitic worm that lives in the human intestines. When a certain number of eggs enter the body by ingestion, after moving into the small intestine, they transform into larvae. Further, through the intestinal walls they enter the blood, and then into the lungs. The larvae enter the stomach and lungs along with sputum, where they develop into adults, and their females lay new eggs. The migration period is 10 days.
Males can reach lengths of up to 250 mm, and females - as much as 400 mm. Individuals have a thick shell that protects them from the effects of gastric juice, which makes them very tenacious. Adult roundworms can live up to one year, and under favorable conditions their eggs can survive in the soil for up to 12 years. Their viability remains even after freezing. They are only afraid of dry air, direct sunlight and high temperatures. In addition, you can destroy eggs with alcohol, ether, gasoline and very hot water.
The mechanism of ascariasis in children
There are two stages (phases) in the development of ascariasis:
- migration (early, lasting 2–3 weeks);
- intestinal (late, lasting from months to several years).
In some sources, complications of ascariasis are classified as the third stage.
The roundworm feeds from the contents of the small intestine and the surface layer of its mucous membranes. The helminth twists in the intestine in the form of a ring and is fixed by focusing on its wall. The maturation of the eggs and their transformation into a mobile larva occurs in the ground. The favorable temperature for this process is about twenty-four to twenty-six degrees. The duration of the transformation is twelve to fourteen days. The spread of helminthiasis occurs through humans; roundworms enter the soil from their feces.
Life cycle of roundworm
Ripe eggs enter the gastrointestinal tract through: unwashed vegetables, berries, contaminated hands, toys, hygiene items, unboiled water. In the gastrointestinal tract, the larva loses its membrane, overcomes the intestinal wall and moves into the portal vein, and then moves towards the inferior vena cava and, bypassing the heart, enters the pulmonary capillaries, and then into the lumens of the alveoli. From here, the larvae enter the oral cavity again with the help of sputum, since the child swallows it again along with saliva. The duration of the migration process is approximately twelve to sixteen days. The duration of the cycle of full maturation to adulthood is approximately seventy-five to ninety days. The adult remains in the intestine for about a year, and then crawls out of the anus on its own.
Impact on the human body during migration
During the migration period, the larva damages the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs (bronchi, larynx). In the second week of the disease, helminths can form a pulmonary infiltrate and hepatic granulomas with a large number of eosinophils. During the first phase, larval metabolic products cause tissue sensitization with the formation of inflammatory cell infiltrates with large numbers of eosinophilic granulocytes; these cells are also observed in large numbers in the blood and bronchial exudate.
In the case of repeated infection with ascariasis, inflammation of the perivascular and peribronchial tissues of varying degrees of manifestation is observed. In the body, the larvae lose mobility and linger in the lungs and liver. Granulomas are formed around them, consisting of eosinophilic granulocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages, and the parasites are reabsorbed.
Intestinal phase
During the intestinal phase of ascariasis, mechanical damage to the mucous membranes of the small intestine occurs and the toxic effect of helminth metabolic products on the child’s body. In this case, the chemistry of the stomach contents changes, and the motor-evacuation function of the digestive canal is disrupted.
Why are roundworms so dangerous for a child?
These yellowish helminths do not have organs to attach to the intestinal walls, which allows them to easily move through it, harming the body.
Roundworms in a child can have the following effects on his body:
- They damage the intestinal mucosa, which can lead to irritation of its walls, and sometimes cause perforation of the intestine.
- They take away some of the beneficial elements from food, which often leads to vitamin deficiency in children.
- They kill the immune system, which is why the baby begins to get sick with acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections very often, which are often accompanied by exacerbations.
- May cause bronchitis.
- Once in the cecum, it can provoke an acute attack of appendicitis.
- If worms enter the bile ducts, it can cause jaundice or toxic hepatitis.
- Once the larvae enter the lungs, children develop pneumonia.
- If the eyes are damaged, conjunctivitis develops, the mucous ducts become inflamed, and vision deteriorates.
- Deterioration of hearing is possible.
- Sometimes the central nervous system and brain are affected.
Symptoms of ascariasis
The following symptoms of ascariasis in children are found:
- fever;
- chest pain;
- dry cough;
- very rarely sputum with bloody discharge.
Over the course of 3 months, during which helminths in the intestines transform into adults, the following signs of ascariasis in children may be observed:
- abdominal pain;
- general malaise;
- nausea;
- the child’s tongue has a yellow tint for a long time;
- increased body temperature;
- weight loss;
- interruptions in the functioning of the digestive system.
The migration of parasites in itself is very harmful for the child’s fragile body. During this period, damage occurs to the walls of blood vessels and cells of internal organs. Another symptom that roundworms can cause in children is the appearance of rashes on the body, resulting from toxic waste products of parasites released into the body.
In some cases, parasites can even affect the spinal cord, as well as the circulatory system.
Development of possible complications
There are also a number of complications caused by roundworm worms in children.
Among the most dangerous are the following:
- appendicitis;
- inflammation of the pancreas;
- intestinal obstruction;
- inflammation of the gallbladder.
Such diseases can develop in case of extensive reproduction of helminths. If roundworms in children cause a chronic form of the disease, this can cause inhibition of physical and mental development. Sometimes helminths die in the first year of their development, while the dead roundworms in the feces come out naturally. This entire process will occur without any symptoms.
The general symptoms of the disease and the severity will be determined by the number of adult pests in the body. Sometimes several roundworms woven into a ball can live in the small intestine, which causes intestinal obstruction. This prevents stool from being passed, which can be fatal in extreme cases.
Methods for diagnosing the disease
Currently, diagnosis of ascariasis in children is carried out in the following ways:
- Pests can be detected by finding the number of eosinophils and leukocytes in the blood. This approach is applicable to searching for parasites and allergies.
- At the initial stage of its development, ascariasis in children can be detected by a general analysis of sputum and blood for roundworms.
- If the disease is in an advanced stage, then the identified helminths can be killed after a stool test. The body can eliminate parasites through stool or coughing. If the situation allows, the worm should be preserved for later identification. If this is impossible to do, then you will urgently need to take repeated tests to look for helminths in the child’s feces and make an accurate diagnosis.
- An auxiliary method for diagnosing the disease is x-ray of the lungs and intestines. The attending physician prescribes this method during the migration period. Several x-rays should be taken, the intervals should be 2 days. After this, the results are compared.
- Ascariasis in children can be detected by methods such as MRI, CT or ultrasound.
Only after all the necessary diagnostic methods have been implemented, it will be possible to prescribe treatment for ascariasis in children - the treatment regimen is determined by the attending physician.
Treatment of the disease
Treatment of ascariasis in children is usually carried out with special tablets. By following simple rules and doctor's instructions, you can get rid of roundworms in just three days.
Since roundworms lead an anaerobic lifestyle in the human body, oxygen therapy is considered effective. To do this, oxygen is supplied to the intestines through a special probe. However, not everyone can withstand such a procedure, and it is prescribed only at the most difficult stages of the disease. Naturally, there are contraindications - stomach and duodenal ulcers.
To prevent the appearance of human roundworm, oxygen cocktails are prescribed, as well as antimicrobial and immunomodulatory drugs, which, once prescribed, are easy to take at home.
They fight roundworms with the following medications:
- Nemozol. This drug is effective for the treatment of mixed helminthiasis. Take 15 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day, dividing the dose into 2 doses. The duration of therapy with such tablets is 10 days, however, the course can be extended to 14 days.
- Vermox. This drug is produced in tablets, and mebendazole is used as the active substance. Approved for use only by children over three years of age. Take 200 mg per day for 3 days. If necessary, the course of treatment is repeated after 3 weeks. For adolescents who have reached 14 years of age, the dosage is increased to 400 mg per day.
- Decaris. The treatment regimen for ascariasis in children with such tablets involves prescribing them in the period after the migration of parasites, when they have already reached the intestines. For children from 3 to 5 years old and weighing from 10 to 15 kilograms, half a tablet is prescribed - 75 mg. And from 3 to 6 years old with a body weight of more than 15 kg, you can take a whole 150 mg tablet. Treatment of roundworms in children who have reached 10 years of age and weigh more than 20 kg requires a dosage of 1.5 tablets. Adolescents aged 10 to 14 years can be given two tablets. If necessary, the course of treatment is repeated after 14 days.
- Pirantel. This remedy can get rid of ascariasis at the intestinal stage. Prescribe 10 mg per 1 kg of body weight. For ascariasis, this medicine is taken once a day, chewing thoroughly after meals. There is also a version of the medicine in suspensions, which is suitable for children from 6 months to 3 years. The course in this case is 3 days, while taking 125 ml mg of the drug per day.
- Medamin. Very effective and cheap tablets for those who are trying to figure out how to remove roundworms. These tablets should not be given to children under 3 years of age. The daily dose, regardless of age, is 10 mg per 1 kg of body weight, and it is divided into three doses. The course of such therapy is three days.
Treatment of ascariasis with traditional methods
Folk remedies that can be performed at home are very effective for treating roundworm in children. But in order for the treatment to be even more effective, it is worth supplementing it with the drugs prescribed by the doctor. Therapy at home will help cleanse the child’s body of toxic elements. It is worth noting that this therapy also has some limitations. The fact is that it is impossible to get rid of this disease at home with folk remedies alone.
If for some reason you have not purchased medicine for roundworms for children, then you can carry out the following therapy at home:
- Garlic enema is considered quite effective.
- Garlic can be taken orally with food.
- Ascariasis can be treated with pumpkin seeds.
- Celandine juice also helps to get rid of the disease as soon as possible.
- Carrot juice will help remove worms.
- Sesame oil is a fairly effective remedy.
Treatment of ascariasis in children
General recommendations
If the baby has been diagnosed with ascariasis, then treatment should be prescribed by the attending pediatrician, taking into account the child’s body weight and depending on the severity of the invasion. Most often, this disease is treated with anthelmintic and desensitizing drugs.
The doctor selects the dosage and course of taking anthelmintic drugs individually!
Treatment of ascariasis should begin with simultaneous drug treatment, diet and hygiene procedures. Before starting treatment and during it, it is necessary to exclude sweets, fatty and “harmful” foods from the child’s diet. The predominant diet of the baby should be fruits, vegetables, lean cereals and soups. It is also necessary to wash and change bedding and underwear frequently. If these recommendations are not followed, therapy may be ineffective.
Treatment during the early (migration) phase
- anthelmintic drugs are prescribed (Thiobendazole, Helmintox);
- desensitizing drugs are prescribed (for example, Zodak);
- administration of corticosteroids;
- prescription of bronchodilators.
The last two groups of drugs are prescribed in the presence of pulmonary manifestations of the disease.
To treat the intestinal phase of ascariasis it is necessary
- a single dose of Decaris (Levamisole) at a dosage of 2.5 mg per kilogram of the child’s body weight. For two-year-old children, Mebendazole and Piperazine, most often in the presence of polyinfestation;
- prescription of multivitamins;
- prescription of iron supplements;
- prescribing probiotics (for example, Linex, Acipol);
- administration of enterosorbents (for example, Polysorb, activated carbon);
- prescription of enzyme preparations (for example, Creon, Pangrol).
In infants, the drug of choice is Pyrantel. The effect of taking anthelmintic drugs reaches from 80 to 100%.
In order to prevent reinfection of the child, the doctor prescribes anthelmintic therapy for the entire family.
Anthelmintic drugs kill adults and larvae, but their effect does not apply to roundworm eggs.
A month after treatment, the child must undergo a re-examination for the presence of roundworms. To do this, you need to donate stool three times. And if there are larvae and parasites in the intestines, a repeated course of anthelmintic treatment is necessary.
Prevention methods
Prevention of ascariasis in children plays a vital role.
To avoid having to confirm the diagnosis of ascariasis, you need to take the following measures to prevent the disease:
- Teach your child to practice good personal hygiene from an early age.
- It's easiest to get infected in the summer. Make sure your child only eats washed fruits and vegetables.
- If there are small children at home, do not keep dirty shoes in sight. Do wet cleaning of the floor more often.
- If your child is particularly susceptible to this disease, then preventive measures should be carried out systematically.
- If you keep pets, they should undergo regular deworming.
- When traveling, drink only bottled water.
- Meat can be eaten only after heat treatment.
How does infection occur?
Ascariasis infection occurs when a child ingests worm eggs. The main causes of infection are contact with soil and eating unwashed fruits and vegetables.
Sources of infection can also be:
- money;
- any surfaces in public places;
- toys;
- insects;
- untreated water.
The female lays up to 240 thousand eggs per day. The eggs become infective only after maturation in the soil. They get there by being excreted in the feces of an infected person. Eggs that have not passed the ripening period are not infectious.
Important! Ascaris eggs are frost-resistant and remain viable for years.
