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Enterobius vermicularis and colitis in Children

Michelle Jardine1, George K Kokai, A Mark Dalzell

  • 1Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, The Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust, Liverpool, UK.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|November 30, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infestation can cause nonspecific colitis in children. Colonoscopy is effective for diagnosis, while conventional tests like saline swabs and Sellotape tests may lack sensitivity for pinworm detection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Diagnostic Accuracy

Background:

  • Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infestation is common in children.
  • Rectal bleeding and abdominal pain are common presenting symptoms.
  • Conventional diagnostic methods for pinworm infestation may have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the reliability of diagnostic methods for Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infestation in children presenting with rectal bleeding.
  • To assess the association between pinworm infestation and nonspecific colitis.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of children undergoing colonoscopy.
  • Direct visualization of adult Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) during colonoscopy for diagnosis.
  • Clinical response to mebendazole treatment was documented.

Main Results:

  • Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) was identified in 17.2% of colonoscopies.
  • Symptoms included abdominal pain (73%), rectal bleeding (62%), chronic diarrhea (50%), and weight loss (42%).
  • Nonspecific colitis was present in 81% of children with pinworm infestation; conventional tests were largely negative.

Conclusions:

  • Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infestation should be considered in children with symptoms suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease and nonspecific colitis.
  • Colonoscopy is a reliable method for diagnosing pinworm infestation.
  • Saline swabs and Sellotape testing may lack sensitivity for detecting pinworm infestation.
Abstract

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