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Incidence of intestinal obstruction in children infected with Ascaris lumbricoides
Insights
Intestinal obstruction from Ascaris lumbricoides infection is a serious complication in children. This study found an incidence of approximately two cases per 1,000 infected children annually in rural Louisiana.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Ascariasis, caused by the large roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides, can lead to severe complications.
- Intestinal obstruction due to worm bolus is the most critical surgical complication of ascariasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the incidence of intestinal obstruction from ascariasis in infected children.
- To assess the prevalence of ascariasis in endemic areas of the southeastern United States.
Main Methods:
- Chart review of patients hospitalized with intestinal obstruction secondary to ascariasis over a 3-year period in three rural Louisiana hospitals.
- Prevalence calculation based on 2,360 stool examinations from state and hospital laboratories across three parishes.
- Analysis of age-specific and race-specific prevalence rates.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one cases of ascariasis-related intestinal obstruction were identified over three years.
- Ascariasis prevalence ranged from 8% to 28% in children aged 1-12 years across three parishes.
- Prevalence was three times higher in black children compared to white children, with most obstructions occurring in 1- to 5-year-olds.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of intestinal obstruction due to ascariasis approximates two cases per 1,000 infected children annually.
- Young children (1-5 years) are most affected by this complication.
- Ascariasis prevalence and associated surgical complications are significant public health concerns in endemic regions.
Abstract:
The most serious consequences of infection with the large roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, are complications requiring surgical intervention, particularly intestinal obstruction caused by a bolus of worms. A study was conducted to estimate the incidence of this complication among infected children in an area of the southeastern United States where ascariasis is endemic. A chart review at three rural Louisiana public hospitals revealed that 21 patients had been hospitalized with intestinal obstruction secondary to ascariasis over a 3-year period. The prevalence of ascariasis in three parishes (counties) served by these hospitals was calculated from the results of 2,360 stool examinations performed by the State Health Department and one hospital laboratory. The prevalence of ascariasis in 1- to 5-year-old children was similar to that in 6- to 12-year-olds and ranged from 8% to 28% in the three parishes. Prevalence rates were three times higher for blacks than for whites. It was found that most cases of intestinal obstruction occur in children in the 1- to 5-year age group and that this incidence approximates two such complications per 1,000 infected children per year.