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Hookworm infestation in a 3-month old female
B E Otaigbe1, A U Eneh, B Oruamabo
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Insights
Hookworm infestation can cause severe anemia in infants. Early diagnosis and treatment with albendazole are crucial for recovery, especially in high-risk tropical communities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Intestinal helminthiasis is a significant cause of illness and death in children globally, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
- This case report focuses on the potential for hookworm infection in infants.
Observation:
- A three-month-old infant presented with failure to thrive and severe anemia.
- Symptoms included dark watery stools, fever, and excessive crying, requiring blood transfusions.
Findings:
- Stool microscopy confirmed numerous hookworm ova.
- Treatment with albendazole led to rapid improvement, with normal stools and weight gain within three days.
Implications:
- Hookworm infestation should be considered in infants presenting with severe anemia in endemic areas.
- This case highlights the importance of suspecting hookworm in infants, as symptomatic cases in the first year of life are rarely documented in regions like Nigeria.
Background:
Intestinal helminthiasis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children particularly in the tropics and subtropics. This report highlights the possibility of hookworm infestation in infancy.
Method:
A case report of hookworm infestation in a three-month old infant who was managed in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt in May 2001 for failure to thrive and recurrent severe anaemia.
Result:
The patient was admitted in the children's emergency ward with passage of dark watery stools, fever, excessive crying and severe anemia and was transfused twice. Stool microscopy revealed numerous ova of hookworm and she was treated with albendazole. Three days after administration of anti-helminthic, stools became formed with normal colour and temperature was normal. She gained weight before discharge home.
Conclusion:
Hookworm infestation should be suspected as a cause of severe anaemia in infants in communities with a high risk of infestation such as fishing port communities. To the best of my knowledge, symptomatic hookworm infestation in the first year of life has not been previously documented in Nigeria.
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