As parents, one of the most important health decisions you make is choosing deworming medicine for kids. Around 241 million children in India (between the ages of 1 and 14) are at risk for parasitic intestinal worms. That’s more than half the population of children!
Given your child has a little-more-than 50% chance of getting worms, it’s important to know which medications work best for deworming.
In this article, we’ll go over the importance of deworming medicine for kids and a list of medications that are best for deworming your little ones.
Let’s begin.
Why Is Deworming Medicine for Kids Important?
Deworming medicine for kids is important because it can increase your child’s nutritional absorption, fight off infections like anaemia, and prevent loose bowels. More importantly, it can prevent worm infection and the host of symptoms associated with it.
If a child with a worm infestation isn’t given deworming medication, the worms may lay eggs in their intestines, multiply, and cause major damage to the body. In some cases, these intestinal parasites can be fatal.
What Is Deworming?
Deworming is the process of using medication to get rid of intestinal parasites like worms. It’s commonly used to treat tape, round, and hookworms, which commonly infest the bodies of children below 18 years of age.
What Causes Worm Infestations?
Worm infestations are usually caused by consuming contaminated food or water. It can even be spread by touching a surface with worm eggs and not washing your hands.
The most common infestations are from tapeworms, roundworms, pinworms or threadworms and hookworms.
Symptoms of Worm Infestations
The following are the symptoms of worm infestation in children, based on the many cases we’ve received and treated:
- Stomach pain
- Coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Wheezing
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Bloated abdomen
- Worms coming from mouth, nose, and bowel movement
List of Best Deworming Medicine for Kids
Based on our research, here are the top three deworming medicines for kids.
(Note: Dosage for these medications depends on the age of the child and the type of infestation. It’ll be recommended by your doctor, which will most likely be what’s recommended on the packaging instructions of the medication).
1. Albendazole
Albendazole belongs to a family of medications known as anthelmintics, which are used for treating worm infections. It works by keeping the worm from absorbing sugar (glucose); as a result, the worm loses energy and dies.
This medication is taken orally in tablet form, and it works best when given along with food.
2. Mebendazole
Mebendazole is a medication sold under many brand names. It’s used for treating several parasitic worm infestations like ascariasis, pinworm, hookworm and guinea worm infections, hydatid disease, and giardia.
Research shows that mebendazole works well with children aged 2–4 years. However, more research needs to be done on its effectiveness for children under the age of 2.
2. Pyrantel
Pyrantel is an anthelmintic that specifically treats pinworms by paralyzing them; they’re then passed in the stool.
Pyrantel has been tested on children older than two years old, and it’s been known to be effective without causing any serious side effects.
FAQs
So Which Medicine Is Best for Deworming My Child?
Albendazole is the best medicine for deworming children. It’s used by the Government of India and is considered a safe treatment for intestinal worms across the globe. The recommended dosage for children between the ages of 2 and 19 is one tablet (400 mg) and half a tablet (200 mg) for children between the ages of 1 and 2.
What’s the Right Age for Deworming Children?
The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends deworming intervention as early as 12 months of age. This is when intestinal worm infections are most common.
How Often Should I Deworm My Child?
You should deworm your children every 4–6 months, starting at the age of two. If your child is under five years old, you should always crush the deworming tablet, so it’s not a choking hazard.
Understand the Importance of Deworming Medicine for Kids
Deworming your child at 12 months is crucial to their health. Not doing so can be detrimental to their overall growth and development.
Therefore, as parents, it’s important to inform yourself and understand the importance of deworming medicine for kids and know which one to use. For more information on deworming your children, medications, and after-care treatment, visit the Ayu Health website and book an appointment with us, or reach out to us at +91 636-610-0800.
Our Hospital Locations
Pediatrics Surgery Hospitals in Chandigarh | Pediatrics Surgery Hospitals in Bangalore | Pediatrics Surgery Hospitals in Jaipur | Pediatrics Surgery Hospitals in NCR | Pediatrics Surgery Hospitals in Hyderabad
Our Doctors
Pediatrics Surgery Doctors in Chandigarh | Pediatrics Surgery Doctors in Bangalore | Pediatrics Surgery Doctors in Jaipur | Pediatrics Surgery Doctors in NCR | Pediatrics Surgery Doctors in Hyderabad
About the Author
Dr. S. Goel
Dr. S. Goel is a renowned Internal Medicine Specialist currently practicing at Ayu Health, Bangalore. He is a Specialist in Internal Medicine, Diabetes HTN, Paediatric Care, and Family Medicine.