Tapeworm in Children

Tapeworms, or Dipylidium caninum, are common parasitic infections in dogs and cats. Children can develop tapeworm infections, but they are relatively uncommon.

• Fleas found in sandboxes can be ingested by children and result in tapeworm infections.

Causes

• According to Dr. Alan Green, children get tapeworms by ingesting fleas in flea-abundant areas such as sandboxes or by being licked in the mouth by a dog that has partially digested fleas in its mouth. The tapeworms attach to the intestines.

Symptoms

• Possible symptoms of a tapeworm infection include abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea and rectal and/or anal itching. According to Greene, children with tapeworms may not show symptoms.

Treatment

• Tapeworm in children is more distressing and gross to parents than it is dangerous to the infected child. Medications such as niclosamide, a drug that specifically acts on tapeworms and is taken orally, treat the infestation.

Prevention/Solution

• Tapeworm infections in children can be prevented by checking sandboxes for fleas before play time, preventing cats and dogs from licking your child in the mouth and by regular, frequent hand washing.

Considerations

• If you suspect that your child developed a tapeworm infection due to tapeworm infections in family pets, immediately treat all animals for tapeworm to prevent future infections. Family pets should also be treated for fleas to prevent the spread of tapeworm larvae.