Baby Worms

What does it mean if my baby has worms?

It means that there is an infestation of worms in your baby’s intestine. Your baby could have caught it when walking around barefoot on infected soil, playing in contaminated water or eating unclean food. Once these eggs hatch, the worms will grow and lay more eggs in your baby’s body. 

It can be upsetting to find out your baby has a worm infection. Do keep in mind that these infections are very common and spread easily. Luckily, getting rid of worms is also easy and relatively quick. 

What are the symptoms of a worm infection?

Most often a worm infestation does not show symptoms or the symptoms may be so slight and gradual that they are overlooked. But a child with worms may have a sore tummy, weight loss and may be irritable. 

Other signs can include:

• loss of appetite due to the pain or discomfort in the tummy
• anemia – especially with hookworms
• a rash – especially hives (urticaria)
• nausea
• itching or pain around the anus, where the worms entered - this is true particularly for thread or pin worms.
• trouble sleeping, because of the itchiness
• constant coughs
• painful and frequent urination due to urinary tract infection - this is more common in girls
• blood in the stool
• vomiting – this is rare but children can vomit out round worms.
• diarrhea - this is also rare.
• very rarely if there are very many worms, there can be a blockage of the intestines.

Thread worms are the most common kind of worms that affect children. They look like pieces of thick thread, half a centimeter long. 

If your baby has a mild infection of thread worms, she may not show any symptoms. Check your baby’s bottom at night, after she has gone to bed. Gently part her buttocks and shine a torch around the opening of her bottom. If she has thread worms, you may be able to see one or more crawling out or around her pyjamas and bed sheets. You may also see thread worms in your baby’s stool. 

If your child has any of these signs, take her to the doctor straight away. 

How did my child get worms?

Your baby can get worms from: 

Infected soil 
This is the most common way children get worms, which include thread worms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and whip worms. These worms thrive in any soil that is dirty and damp. 

Children can get infected from walking barefoot on infected soil, from unclean hands or from food. 

Infected water areas 

Some types of worms breed in water. They can be found in lakes, dams and puddles. Playing, bathing and swimming in these areas, or drinking and eating food contaminated by the water, can cause a worm infection. 

Children tend to be affected the most as their immune systems are weaker than those of adults. 

Under cooked or infected food 
Worm eggs stay on plants and vegetables that have not been thoroughly washed. We can get infected by eating these vegetables. 

Animals that live along water areas, such as fish and cattle, can also be sick. So meat and fish that are raw, or not well cooked, can carry worms and infections. 

Contact with an infected person 
If someone your baby is in contact with has worms, they can pass the infection on to your baby if they do not have proper hygiene. Worm eggs can remain under fingernails or on badly washed hands and can pass on from there to your baby's toys or directly into her mouth. 

 

How will worms affect my baby’s growth?

Worm infections can be severe for young children, as the worms consume the vitamins and nutrients in their bodies. This can then lead to malnutrition, low weight and anaemia. Infected children then become more vulnerable to illness, as their immune systems are damaged. 

The worm infection also harms infected children’s future physical and intellectual development especially if it results in iron deficiency anaemia. Fortunately, timely treatment can prevent this. 

What are the tests used to determine a worm infection?

The best way to find out if your baby has worms is to get her checked by your doctor. Your doctor may use one of the following tests to check if your baby has a worm infection: 

• The sticky tape test. This test is done for thread worms and involves sticking a piece of tape around your baby’s bottom to collect possible worm eggs. The tape is then sent to a lab for testing.
• Checking under fingernails. Your doctor may check for worm eggs under your baby’s fingernails.
• A cotton-bud swab. The doctor or nurse may run a cotton swab around your baby’s bottom to check for worm eggs.
• Stool examination. The doctor will ask for a sample of your baby’s stool. The sample will be sent to a lab to check for worms or worm eggs.
• An ultrasound test. This usually works when there is a severe infestation of worms. With the ultrasound, your doctor will find out the exact location of the worms.

How do I treat my baby’s worm infection?

Fortunately, almost all worm infections can be treated with oral medication. Your doctor will prescribe medicines or deworming treatments based on the type of worm infection your baby has. Don’t buy over the counter remedies, as some anti-worm medicines may be unsuitable for babies less than two years old. You may also be tempted to try alternative medicine like herbal remedies. There isn’t much evidence proving their effectiveness. It is best to talk to your doctor before you try them on your baby. 

Deworming as a precaution is now quite a common practice, especially among school children. Worm infections spread easily and getting re-infected is common. Your doctor may advise your whole family to undergo treatment, even if they don’t have worms, just to be safe. 

What can I do to prevent my child getting worms?

Once your little one starts to walk, she’ll be at risk of getting worms. Here are a few things you can do to keep her safe from worm infections: 

• When your child is two years old, get her to the clinic for deworming treatment.
• Change your baby’s nappies regularly.
• Clean your house often and well, with a good disinfectant.
• Once your child can walk, get her some closed shoes.
• Only let your child play away from lakes, dams and puddles.
• Keep your child away from moist sand pits and soil.
• Always check your child plays in a clean, dry area.
• Make sure your child only relieves herself in a clean toilet.
• Keep your toilet clean.
• Make sure your family washes their hands with soap before meals and after the toilet.
• Keep your child’s nails short and clean. Worm eggs can get caught under long fingernails and spread around the house.
• Boil or filter (RO) your drinking water.
• Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly in clean water.
• Check that meat and fish are fresh before cooking.
• Cook meat and fish thoroughly, till there are no raw bits. Read more about food hygiene.
• If you have a maid or nanny looking after your baby, make sure she keeps clean. You might like to suggest the option of deworming to her.

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