National Deworming Day | Dr. Subinita Hazra | Manipal Hospital Dhakuria

Duration: 2:49 382 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

Dr. Subinita Hazra from Manipal Hospital Dhakuria discusses National Deworming Day, emphasizing that all children can safely be treated against intestinal worms starting at six months of age. The dosage varies by developmental stage: infants between six months and two years require a single dose of 200 mg, while older children above the age of two should receive 400 mg in one administration. Although specific medical advice on timing and dosing is always recommended from a pediatrician, regular deworming every six months is suggested for healthy children who play outdoors in fields, grass, or mud to prevent recurrent infestations caused by environmental exposure. The primary transmission of worms occurs through foodborne and waterborne routes where dirt containing worm eggs contaminates food or drinking water before ingestion. A common misconception addressed during the talk involves chocolate consumption; Dr. Hazra clarifies that eating chocolate does not increase the risk of worm infections, as the actual culprit is poor hygiene rather than dietary choices like sweets. The most effective prevention strategy is rigorous handwashing with trimmed nails to stop dirt from entering a child's mouth, particularly before meals, after playing outside, and following bathroom use, which significantly reduces the likelihood of recurrent infestations in toddlers who frequently explore their surroundings orally. It is crucial to distinguish between routine preventive care and situations where deworming should be avoided or further investigation is needed. Children suffering from severe constipation that prevents regular bowel movements, those with active fevers, or current infections should not undergo deworming until these acute conditions resolve. Furthermore, if a child continues to show signs of worm infestation despite adhering to the six-month treatment schedule and maintaining good hygiene practices, parents must consult a pediatrician immediately. In such persistent cases, medical professionals can determine whether an alternative medication course or adjusted dosage is necessary to effectively clear the infection.

Read the full video transcript

[Music] Hello, I am Dr. Subinita Hazra, Consultant Pediatrician Nephrologist, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria Today, August Celebrating National Deworming, Few Points, Children's Health, How to Deworm at What Age Should It Be Done, Which Children Should It Be Done, Which Children or When? Is there a specific time that it should be done, and some common myths that we will briefly discuss. All children can be dewormed from the age of six months. There is a specific dose for six months to two years, 200 mg single dose, and for all children above the age of two, 400 mg single dose. For doses and timing, be sure to consult your pediatrician. A very common sweet, eating chocolate, does not increase the problem of children's worms. How is it done in Children? Foodborne or waterborne means where water or dirt or worms get into the food. So what is the most common? Hand washing is very important. Keep your nails trimmed. Worms enter the child's stomach from the dirt on the hand, which the child puts in his mouth. And this is a very common reason why children have recurrent worm infestations. Therefore, be sure to encourage your child to wash their hands regularly before eating, after playing outside, and after using the bathroom, and make it a habit. Plus, emphasize the importance of giving your child drinking water, especially boiled drinking water for the toddler age group. So, since it's food-borne and water-borne, I said the problem with worms is that's where the worms come from. Worms can only enter the intestines recurrently through eating. There is no question that we should not deworm a healthy child who has no problems. Since all the children are going to play outside in the fields, on the grass, and in the mud, you can deworm all the children regularly every six months. Only if the child is severely constipated, not clearing regular bowel movements, or has a fever or infection, do not deworm the child. And another thing is that if you see active worms in your stool despite deworming your child for six months, and the worm problem persists even after deworming, you should definitely consult a pediatrician. Discuss what course and dosage to deworm the child for that. Stay healthy, stay well. Greetings.