Worm infections cause tiredness, malnutrition in children: Doctors

Srinagar, Aug 12: Medical experts in Jammu and Kashmir have cautioned parents against overlooking worm infections among children, saying untreated parasitic infections can contribute to anemia, malnutrition, weakness and impaired physical and cognitive development.
Doctors said children suffering from intestinal worm infections may not always show obvious symptoms in the early stages. However, prolonged infection can affect the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients and, in some cases, lead to blood loss, leaving children tired, weak and less attentive in school.
Doctors said that timely detection and regular deworming can significantly reduce the health burden associated with intestinal worms. They urged parents to pay attention to changes in a child’s appetite, weight, energy levels, abdominal health, concentration and overall growth.
“Deworming is a simple, safe and effective intervention. A single dose of appropriate medicine can substantially reduce the worm burden in an infected child,” doctors said, adding that the treatment is also available free of cost through public health programmes.
Dr Rayees Ahmad Lone of DHSK said helminthic infections can affect children in several ways, particularly when the infection persists for a long period.
“Children may develop anemia, abdominal swelling, severe abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, poor appetite and malnutrition. In severe or prolonged cases, tissue damage and impaired physical and mental development can also occur,” he said.
He said regular deworming, when medically appropriate, can improve nutrient absorption and help protect children from complications associated with worm infestation.
“By reducing the worm burden, deworming can support better nutritional status, improve concentration and reduce the risk of anemia and digestive problems,” Dr. Lone said.
Physician Dr. Javed Ahmad Reshie said intestinal worms can have a particularly serious impact on growing children because they compete with the body for nutrients and may interfere with iron absorption.
“Helminthic infections can contribute to anemia by causing blood loss, affecting iron absorption and triggering inflammation. This can ultimately affect a child’s energy levels, learning ability and overall development,” he said.
Doctors said that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends periodic deworming in areas where soil-transmitted worm infections are common, with the frequency depending on the level of prevalence and public-health guidelines.
They also advised parents not to avoid deworming during winter, saying the effectiveness of the intervention does not depend on a particular season when it is administered according to recommended schedules.
The concern assumes greater significance in view of the high prevalence of anemia among children in India. According to NFHS-5, around 73 percent of children aged 6–59 months in India were found to be anemic, compared with 43 percent in NFHS-4. The survey classified around 25 percent as having mild anemia, 44 percent moderate anemia and 4 percent severe anemia.
In Jammu and Kashmir, anemia among children in the same age group was reported at around 74 percent, highlighting the need for stronger attention to childhood nutrition, infection prevention and early intervention.
Doctors, however, stressed that deworming alone cannot address childhood anemia or malnutrition. They said it should be complemented by a balanced diet containing adequate iron and other essential nutrients, safe drinking water, proper sanitation and regular handwashing.
They also advised parents to seek medical attention if a child develops persistent abdominal pain, recurrent diarrhoea, unexplained weakness, loss of appetite, poor weight gain or other concerning symptoms rather than relying solely on self-medication.
Experts said maintaining personal hygiene, keeping children’s nails trimmed, washing hands before meals and after using the toilet, properly washing fruits and vegetables and ensuring hygienic sanitation facilities can help reduce the risk of repeated worm infections.
“Deworming is a relatively simple public-health intervention, but its benefits are much greater when combined with good hygiene and adequate nutrition,” the doctors said.
They urged parents, schools and health workers to work together to ensure children receive age-appropriate deworming at recommended intervals and that cases requiring further medical evaluation are identified early. (KNO)