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Parasitic infestations requiring surgical interventions

Afua A J Hesse1, Abdellatif Nouri, Hussam S Hassan

  • 1Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana.

Seminars in Pediatric Surgery
|April 6, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Parasitic infections in African children cause significant health issues and surgical complications. This article reviews the presentation, investigation, and management of these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Tropical medicine
  • Pediatric surgery
  • Infectious diseases

Background:

  • Parasitic infestations are prevalent in developing nations, particularly in Africa, disproportionately affecting children.
  • These infections lead to severe health problems, including malnutrition, anemia, and impaired cognitive development.
  • Complications from parasitic diseases often necessitate surgical intervention, posing a significant healthcare burden.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the clinical presentation, investigation, and management of parasitic infestations with surgical relevance in African children.
  • To highlight the impact of these conditions on child health and healthcare systems in Africa.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical cases and relevant literature on parasitic infestations in African children requiring surgical care.
  • Discussion of common parasitic agents and their associated surgical morbidities.

Main Results:

  • Identified parasitic infections such as amoebiasis, ascariasis, fascioliasis, and echinococcosis as common causes of surgical morbidity in children.
  • Highlighted the range of complications including intestinal obstruction, liver abscesses, cholangitis, and hydatid cysts.
  • Emphasized the economic strain on African governments due to the cost of treating these conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Parasitic infestations represent a major challenge in pediatric surgery in Africa.
  • Effective clinical presentation recognition, diagnostic investigation, and timely management are crucial for improving outcomes.
  • Addressing parasitic diseases is vital for child health and economic stability in the region.

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