Intestinal worms in babies: at what age should you be concerned?

Intestinal worms, particularly threadworms and roundworms, are common parasites that can affect both children and adults. In young children and babies, these parasites can cause unpleasant symptoms and, in some cases, more serious health problems. In this article, we explore at what age babies can be affected by intestinal worms, what the signs and symptoms are, and what treatments are available.

The age at which babies can be affected by intestinal worms

Intestinal worms spare no one, regardless of age, but young children and babies are particularly vulnerable. From birth, babies can be exposed to parasite eggs through contact with contaminated surfaces, unwashed hands, or other objects. That said, intestinal worm infections are less common before a child begins to walk, since they have less contact with environments that may be contaminated.

Nursery and pre-school age

It is when children start nursery and pre-school that the risk of intestinal worm infestation increases significantly. Children begin to interact more with other children and with their environment, which facilitates the spread of parasites. Young children also have a tendency to put their hands and objects in their mouths, which can encourage the ingestion of worm eggs.

Signs and symptoms of intestinal worms in babies

Symptoms vary depending on the type of parasite, but there are signs common to the different types of infestation:

Anal scratching: particularly at night, this is a strong indicator of a threadworm infection.

Changes in stools: diarrhoea or constipation, or even the visible presence of worms in the stools.

Loss of appetite: linked to the digestive problems caused by intestinal worms.

Weight loss: due to a reduced appetite and/or poor absorption of nutrients.

Fatigue: linked to nutrient loss and sleep disturbed by nocturnal itching.

Threadworms and roundworms: the main intestinal worms

Threadworms are responsible for the majority of infestations in young children in France. They measure around 1 cm in length and live in the colon. The females lay their eggs around the anus in the middle of the night, causing intense itching. Roundworms, for their part, are round worms that can reach 30 cm in length. They also live in the small intestine and sometimes cause an intestinal blockage.

Treatments for intestinal worms in babies

Treatment for intestinal worms must be administered under medical supervision to ensure its effectiveness. Antiparasitic drug therapy is often prescribed, with medications such as albendazole or mebendazole. These drugs work by killing the adult parasites and generally only require a single dose, although a follow-up treatment may be necessary two weeks later to eliminate any remaining eggs.

Preventive and hygiene measures

Various measures can be adopted to prevent the spread of intestinal worms and encourage their elimination:

Thorough handwashing, particularly before meals, after using the toilet, and after being outdoors.

Regularly trimming your baby's nails to prevent eggs from lodging under them.

Regular disinfection of surfaces and toys.

Daily airing of rooms in the home to discourage parasites.

Frequent changing of your baby's bedding and clothing.

In short, intestinal worms can affect babies of all ages, but appear to be more common when children start nursery and pre-school. Signs and symptoms should be monitored carefully in order to quickly identify any potential infestation and thus allow for prompt, appropriate treatment.