Our Reporter
Dimapur, Jan. 26 (EMN): Worm infection in children is a common problem which needs to be addressed regularly, remarked Dr. Apong Longchar, while refuting the myth that eating too many sweets may lead to formation of worms.
Longchar, who is a pediatrician at Nikos Hospital and Research Centre Dimapur, noted that worms are also living organisms and therefore will not ‘develop or form by itself’.
"Most common worms are whipworm, roundworm, hookworm and pinworm and these come in different shapes and sizes in humans. These worms spread by laying eggs, which are passed out through the stools. These eggs develop into larvae in the soil; and children are infected by eggs ingested through food, dirty hands or by larvae penetrating the skin; eggs and larvae in an infected child develop into adult worms, which produce eggs and have an ill effect on the child's health", Longchar said.
According to him, when there is heavy infestation of worms there are chances of several problems. The symptoms could include malnutrition, poor growth, anaemia, vitamin deficiency, poor cognitive development and loss of appetite in a child, abdominal pain, vomiting sensation, bloating, dysentery and biliary tract obstruction. and liver infestation leading to jaundice and liver symptoms. It will also cause peri anal itching, disturbed sleep and in extreme cases it may cause blockage to the intestine, which may need surgery, he informed.
Some worms are spread through skin penetration when a child comes in contact with the soil, causing skin irritation and dermatitis at entry site or allergy like skin manifestation.
In some extreme cases, it may cause seizures due to worms in the brain, he pointed out, adding that some children may be asymptomatic but in some severe cases, such symptoms may occur. However the treatment, he said, was simple through a common medicine -- albendazole -- which can be given to a child according to their age group. For two years and above, 400 mg tablet/suspension single dose and for 1 to 2 years, 200 mg tablet/suspension single dose may be given every six months.
‘The government has also started a National De-worming Day campaign in schools as well where all children and adolescents aged 1-19 years are de-wormed free of cost using the safe and beneficial albendazole tablet,’ he informed.
There is a myth that de-worming should be given only during the winter or summer season but Longchar noted that there is no season for de-worming or to take the medicine.
‘It can be taken or given during any season and food habits should not be restricted after de-worming as there is another myth that non-vegetarian food or sweets cannot be given after de-worming,’ he added.
He further said that the worm infestation in children is mostly when a child comes in contact with mud or water infested by worms.
‘ So it is important to practice hand hygiene, trimming nails and keeping them clean and giving them bath daily, keeping their clothes, utensils clean and avoiding open defecation,’ he advised.
A child should also have their shoes/sandals on whenever outdoors to avoid infestation through skin, he said.
He added that grinding of teeth while sleeping and white patches or spots on the face are not a sign of worms.