Tapeworm In Children: Types, Symptoms, Treatment, And Prevention

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Tapeworm in children may not cause signs and symptoms for a long time after entering the body. This is also known as taeniasis and is found in humans all around the globe. However, children living in Latin America, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe have a higher incidence (1). Abdominal pain and weight loss are seen in some children. These worms can form cystsⁱA fluid, air, or pus-filled sac-like pocket anywhere on the body. anywhere in the body and are called cysticercosis, and in the brain, it is called neurocysticercosis. Brain infection with tapeworm larvae can cause epilepsyⁱA neurological condition that makes one more susceptible to recurrent seizures. . This accounts for 30% of seizure cases in endemic zones (2).

Read on to know the types, signs, causes, treatment, and prevention of taeniasis or tapeworm infection in children.

What Is A Tapeworm And How Does It Grow?

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Tapeworms are parasitic intestinal worms. They are flatworms that look like a long tape, and they live in the intestines of humans or animals. They are not capable of surviving outside the host.

Tapeworms can live for several years and grow more than 30 meters long. They grow by feeding on the nutrition from the hosts, thus causing nutritional deficiencies.

Kids can get tapeworm infection from food or water contaminated with a worm or its eggs. The parasite attaches itself to the lining of the intestine and feeds on blood that contains digested nutrients.

Tapeworms are made up of numerous segments, and each segment can produce eggs. The tapeworm undergoes significant growth as it develops, then the lower segments break off and appear in feces.

The eggs and tapeworm segments from the feces of infected people can contaminate food and water. They may persist in soil or water for months, and their transmission to humans or animals poses a significant public health risk (3).

Types Of Tapeworms

The species of tapeworms that cause infection in humans are (4):

• Taenia solium (pork tapeworm)
• Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm)
• Taenia asiatica (Asian tapeworm)
• Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm)
• Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tapeworm)
• Echinococcus

How Do Tapeworms Infect Kids?

Kids become infected with tapeworm from the following:

• Consuming food or water contaminated with infected feces
• From an infected person, if they have not washed hands after using the toilet
• From contaminated objects for example, doorknobs
• Eating undercooked or uncooked fish or meat from an infected animal (5)
  

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• Eating without washing their hands after playing in contaminated soil or water

Quick fact

Tapeworm eggs hatch in the intestines and produce larvae that burrow into the intestinal wall and reach the bloodstream. These larvae then reach other organs and form cysts (23).

Signs And Symptoms Of Tapeworms In Children

Most kids with tapeworms can be asymptomatic for months or years. However, some may develop signs and symptoms of tapeworm infection such as (6):

1. Abdominal pain
2. Diarrhea
   

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3. Nausea
4. Loss of appetite
5. Weight loss
6. Worms in feces or around the anus
7. Anemia Cysts in the skin or in internal organs

Complications

Complications due to  tapeworm infection may include (7):

• Cysticercosis: Eggs of Tenia solium (pork tapeworm) can reach the bloodstream from the intestines. These can move to other parts of the body and form cysts in muscles, brain, eyes, or other organs. Cysticercosis is prevalent in places with poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

Cysts may cause symptoms depending on its location, including (7):

• Muscles: Lumps under the skin
• Heart: Abnormal heartbeat
• Brain: Seizures, confusion, vision problems, headaches, meningitisⁱInflammation of the protective membranes and fluid that surround the brain and spinal cord. , hydrocephalusⁱA neurological disorder characterized by an abnormal accumulation of excessive cerebrospinal fluid in the brain cavities. , stroke
• Spine: Weakness and difficulty in walking
• Cysts may cause anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) if they are broken or damaged.

Other possible complications of tapeworm infections are (8):

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gall bladder)
• Bowel obstruction
• Anemia

Brain infection caused by pork tapeworm eggs is known as neurocysticercosis. This can be fatal if left untreated. Echinococcus tapeworm causes hydatid disease (echinococcosis), which most commonly affects the liver. A large hydatid cyst can damage the liver and cause other problems.

Note: You do not get cysticercosis from eating pork since the eggs are not found in meat. It generally happens after consuming food or water contaminated with feces that contain the tapeworm eggs.

When To See The Doctor

Although tapeworm infections usually do not cause any problems, you may need to see a doctor if your child shows signs and symptoms that are concerning.

Diagnosis Of Tapeworms In Children

The following are used to diagnose tapeworm infection (9):

• Stool sample analysis to check for eggs and worm segments
• CT or MRI scan for cysts
• Blood tests to identify antibodies
• Ultrasound of the liver

The doctor may also ask for samples after the treatment to ensure that the stool is free of eggs and segments. Follow-up tests are vital to confirm the infection has been completely cleared and monitor any potential recurrence.

Treatment For Intestinal Tapeworm In Children

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Helminth infection is treated with antihelminthic agents that kill or paralyze the worms. Some of the effective drugs include (10):

• Biltricide (Praziquantel)
• Albenza (Albendazole)
• Alinia (Nitazoxanide)
• Mebendazole

These drugs are effective against adult worms but not the eggs. To prevent reinfection it is important that your child washes their hands thoroughly before eating and after using the toilet. Over-the-counter treatments may not be effective and a prescription medication may be required.

Infections that occur in other organs, outside the intestine, may need other treatments in addition to antihelminthic therapy. The doctor may administer the following medications depending on the site and complications of the infections (11) (12):

• Albendazole (Albenza) (antihelminthic medication) helps reduce the size of cysts. Ultrasound or radiographic imaging is done to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

• Niclosamide blocks glucose intake and could damage the metabolism in the tapeworm.

• Prescription corticosteroid medications such as prednisone and dexamethasone may help to decrease inflammation of the tissue.

• Anti-epileptic medications are given if neurocysticercosis causes seizures.

• Hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain) caused by tapeworms may require shunting of fluid from the head using tubes to avoid complications.

• Surgical removal of the cysts may be done to remove cysts from the organs, the cavity is washed with anti-parasitic solutions to prevent reinfection.

According to the World Health Organization, in endemic countries, anthelminthic medicines were administered to more than 500 million children in 2021, accounting for approximately 62% of all children susceptible to infections. It is important to follow the recommended treatment regime to avoid complications of the disease. Untreated infections may impede normal development and increase the risk of developing complications.

Quick fact

If a child has anemia, the doctor may prescribe vitamin B12 injections or oral supplements to treat vitamin deficiency (5).

Additionally, research shows that some natural or home remedies might help combat intestinal worms. In one study, garlic was found to have compounds or active ingredients with cestocidal (ability to destroy cestodes or tapeworms) properties. These compounds were shown to reduce movement, cause death, and harm the body segments of worms in a controlled environment (13). A combination of air-dried papaya seeds and honey also exhibited anti-parasitic properties in children (14). Other possible remedies include ginger, neem, turmeric, clove, and pumpkin. Always consult a healthcare professional before trying these remedies.

How To Prevent Tapeworms In Children?

The following tips will help to prevent tapeworms in kids (15):

• Wash hands with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet
  

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• Cook meat until well done
• Freeze meat for 24 hours before cooking
• Do not consume undercooked or uncooked fish or meat
• Wash fruit and vegetables before eating
• Avoid buying meat from vendors that lack strict regulations and farming practices.
• Pet dogs may also get tapeworm infections. Deworm your dogs as recommended by the vet to reduce the risk

The following tips can be helpful if you are traveling to endemic areas:

• Drink boiled or bottled water.
• Avoid water fountains and ice cubes.
• Do not consume fruits and vegetables peeled by others.

Infographic: What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Cysticercosis?

Tapeworm larvae can reach various tissues and organs in the body through the bloodstream and form cysts. The signs and symptoms may vary depending on the affected area. Go through the infographic to learn about the signs and symptoms of cysticercosis.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Signs And Symptoms Of Tapeworm In Children And Treatment

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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