Overcoming Intestinal Worms In Children?

Hi InagustIna,

Thank you for asking HealthReplies.com.

Babies and children who are still not able to maintain personal hygiene are at high risk of experiencing intestinal worms. This condition is more prone to occur, for example in children who are often allowed to play on the ground without shoes and adequate security.

Symptoms of intestinal worms are often not very typical. However, in general, intestinal worms will cause the sufferer to experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, bloating or distended stomach, feeling itchy around the anus, decreased appetite, and also weight loss. There are also several types of worms that cause anemia due to their ability to suck blood.

The various complaints that occur in your child may indeed be a sign of intestinal worms. However, this complaint may also arise due to other causes, such as tuberculosis, gastroenteritis, stomach ulcers, malnutrition, gastritis, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), viral or bacterial infections, and so on.

Children over 1 year old are advised to take deworming medicine every 6 months. However, giving this drug should be done under the supervision of a doctor, yes. Because, the type of drug and also the dose must be adjusted to the condition of your baby. It is also possible that the doctor will need to do some additional tests, such as blood tests, stool cultures, Mantoux tests, or x-rays to rule out other diseases.

In the meantime, you should give your child hygienically processed food and always keep the environment around the child clean. Avoid children from playing on the ground barefoot. Get used to children to be diligent in bathing, washing hands, and also washing feet. So that the child's appetite increases, do not force the child to eat and vary the daily food menu.

Hope it helps ya..

dr. Nadia Nurotul Fuadah