[Trichinosis in children. A report of 8 cases]

A comparative study between 8 cases of trichinosis and 16 of typhoid fever is presented in this paper; all of them were attended in the INP during the period from 1970 to 1990. The diagnosis was established under epidemiologic, clinic and laboratory bases. The range of age of these patients was from 10 to 14 years, from low socioeconomic status; half of the cases had history of in take of infested pork meat. The most characteristic symptoms were: fever, myalgia and limitation of muscular movements. Leukocytosis in addition to eosinophilia were found in 7 cases. Correlation with indirect hemagglutination, CIEF positive test for Trichinella spiralis and biopsy of muscle was done. Thiabendozole therapy was utilized for treatment with satisfactory evolution, except in one case that developed progressive and fatal neurologic damage.