CareNine:
Deworming and child health: how are they connected?

Intestinal worms, also known as parasitic worms, can infest children’s bodies, causing health issues. Deworming is a crucial process to eliminate the parasitic worms from a child's body. These worms, often found in the intestines, can cause significant health issues. Regular deworming and preventive measures can help maintain children's growth, development and overall well-being.

What is deworming?

• Deworming involves giving medication to a child to eliminate intestinal worms.
• These worms live in the gut and feed on the nutrients from the food children eat, causing a lack of nutrition in the kids.
• Common types of worms in children include roundworms, hookworms, pinworms, tapeworms and whipworms.

Why is deworming important?

• Worm infections can lead to malnutrition, stunted growth and poor cognitive development in children.
• Children with worm infections may experience:
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Weight loss
• Anaemia (lack of iron)
• Restlessness and irritability

When should children be dewormed?

• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends deworming all children between 1 and 14 years in areas with high worm prevalence (like India).
• Some regions may have specific deworming programs in schools depending on the risk level of worming.
• Consult your doctor to determine the best deworming schedule for your child.

How is deworming done?

• Deworming medication is usually a single-dose tablet given orally.
• Depending on the type of worm infection, one or two doses might be needed.
• Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for dosage and frequency.

Worming symptoms to look out for

Despite strict measures, your child may exhibit work symptoms. Here are some common indications:

• Consistent stomach pain
• Weakness or exhaustion
• Anaemia
• Nausea
• Frequent urination

• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Blood in stool
• Burning sensation while urination
• Sudden weight loss
• Irritation on the buttocks
• Low appetite

If your child exhibits these symptoms, seek professional medical guidance.

Preventing worm infections in children

• Good hygiene is key:
• Teach children to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating.
• Encourage regular showering or bathing.
• Keep fingernails trimmed to prevent dirt accumulation.
• Sanitation:
• Dispose of faeces hygienically in toilets to prevent worm egg contamination in the environment.
• Discourage open defecation even by pets, especially near water sources.
• Safe food and water:
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption.
• Ensure proper cooking of meat, especially pork.
• Drink clean, treated water.
• In the case of young kids, you can try providing only boiled water to them for maximum safety.
• Don’t allow your kids to drink water from any public tanks unless you’re fully sure of their cleanliness.
• Discourage pica:
• Pica is a condition where children eat non-food items like soil. This behaviour is common in kids while playing outdoors, so always keep an eye out for such trends.
• Consult your doctor if your child exhibits pica behaviour.
• Deworming pets:
• Regularly deworm pets like dogs and cats to prevent them from becoming carriers of worm eggs.

Deworming is a simple yet powerful tool to safeguard your child's health. By combining deworming with good hygiene practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of worm infections in your child and keep them healthy.

Sources:
WHO
Medicover Hospitals
Apollo Cradle and Children's Hospital