Parasitic worms are the main causes of helminthiasis. A parasitic ailment can affect absolutely any person, but most often children suffer from it. Most often they find pinworms - pathogens of enterobiasis. One of the methods for diagnosing a pathological condition is scraping (smear) for enterobiosis. In children, this procedure is carried out not only in the presence of characteristic symptoms. Let us consider in more detail how exactly the material is taken and what are the features of preparation for diagnosis.
Enterobiosis - what kind of ailment?
Helminthiasis is a pathology that people call worms. The development of the disease is provoked by parasites (helminths) that have entered the body. There are many varieties of worms that can cause a pathological condition. Pinworms are one of them - roundworms from the group of nematodes. The main place of localization is the intestinal wall. The worm feeds on digestive tract contents and blood. Disease caused by pinworms is called enterobiosis.
Most of all, children from 2 to 10 years old are exposed to helminths. At this age, kids do not always adhere to the rules of elementary personal hygiene, which allows helminth eggs to enter the body through dirty hands, toys, household items. Helminth eggs can be carried even on particles of dust and animal hair. For their maturation, high humidity and a temperature of at least 35 ° C are required.
Despite the short life cycle of adults (only 30 days), enterobiosis can be sick for a long time because of the high probability of self-infection.
Recognize helminthic invasion on time!
Enterobiosis paired with ascariasis occupy a leading place among helminthiases in children. If untreated, parasites can cause serious consequences. In order to seek medical help in a timely manner, you need to know what symptoms are characteristic of the pathology. To determine the development of helminthic invasion in a child by the following signs:
- the appearance of itching in the anus;
- mushy stools;
- bloating;
- flatulence;
- fatigue in a child;
- frequent viral diseases;
- exacerbation of chronic ailments;
- poor sleep at night;
- the appearance of an allergic reaction.
Having found similar symptoms, it is necessary to pass a smear for enterobiosis. In children, the algorithm for taking the analysis is no different from the diagnosis of adult patients. To undergo an examination, you need to contact a pediatrician or an infectious disease doctor. This can be done in a public or private clinic.
Enterobiosis tests
The main method for detecting helminthic invasion is scraping from the perianal region, because the coprogram (fecal analysis) only in rare cases shows the presence of male nematodes in the material. A smear test for enterobiosis in children is mandatory upon admission to a preschool institution or school, after a long illness, during treatment in a hospital or a trip to a children's camp.
By the way, in order to visit the pool, you should also undergo this type of laboratory examination. The analysis will determine the presence in the body of adult individuals or eggs of parasites.
A smear for enterobiosis in children: how to take it?
Compliance with all recommendations regarding the passage of diagnostics will allow you to get the correct result. In medical practice, there are two methods for collecting material. They can be used to collect tests at home, but usually they do it in the clinic. The procedure is usually performed in the morning. It should be borne in mind that in order to obtain an accurate result, the child does not need to be washed before analysis.
Features of the procedure
How is a smear taken for enterobiasis in children in a laboratory setting? Adhesive tape is usually used to pick up material from babies. This is the main method for diagnosing helminthiasis. It is advisable to perform the manipulation in the morning, when the activity of female helminths is increased.
To carry out the analysis, take a small piece of adhesive tape, push the buttocks of the child apart and stick tape on the anus, capturing adjacent tissues. Adhesive tape is applied several times. After that, the adhesive tape is applied to a clean glass surface. At home, you can also take a smear for enterobiosis in children. The algorithm of actions in this case completely coincides with those manipulations that are carried out in the laboratory.
With the naked eye, it is impossible to see pinworm eggs or any other helminths. They are too small and can only be detected with a microscope.
Cotton swab material
There is another way to diagnose helminthiasis, which is often prescribed for adults. To do this, use a cotton swab and a special container. The tip of a cotton swab is dipped in glycerin or liquid paraffin. Then, the buttocks are gently pushed apart and a cotton swab is held along the folds in the anus. After that, the sample is placed in a clean plastic flask or the material is applied to clean glass and sent to the laboratory.
If the analysis is taken at home, then to save it, the resulting sample must be placed in the refrigerator. To get a reliable result, the analysis must be delivered to the laboratory within 2 hours after collection.
Deciphering the results
The main goal of laboratory diagnostics is to determine if the patient has pinworms. In the absence of experience of sampling the material yourself at home, it is better to contact specialists. Especially if it is necessary to make a smear for enterobiosis in children. Analysis availability usually does not exceed 24 hours. In some cases, the results are issued on the day the material is delivered.
In conclusion, indicate only a positive or negative diagnostic result. If pinworms are found in one of the family members, his immediate relatives who live with him in the same territory will have to pass a laboratory analysis.
A negative result does not mean the absence of an ailment. Often, such a conclusion is erroneous due to improper material collection. To increase the reliability of the laboratory conclusion, it is necessary to make a scraping at least 3 times with an interval of one day.
The result of the analysis for the presence of enterobiosis is valid for 10 days. After passing this period, the conclusion will be invalid, and if necessary, the analysis will need to be retaken.
Treatment of ailment
Treatment of enterobiasis involves the use of special anthelmintic drugs. For children, such medications are prescribed exclusively by a doctor, given the age of a small patient. Some of them have a strong toxic effect and can negatively affect the overall well-being of the child. Therefore, they should be used only after a smear for enterobiosis is given. In children, this ailment is treated within 7-10 days.
The following anthelmintic drugs are considered the most effective:
- "Pyrantel" is a synthetic agent, available in the form of a suspension and in the form of tablets. Dosage is calculated based on the age of the baby.
- "Vermox" - an antiparasitic drug is used only for the treatment of children from two years.
- "Fed" - the medication is capable of killing both adults and helminth eggs. For babies from one year old, you need to use the medicine in the form of a suspension.
- "Nemozol" - a drug in the form of tablets and suspensions successfully treats enterobiosis and ascariasis in children. Dosage is calculated depending on the weight of the child.