Worm Infection Damages Immune System and Affects Baby’s Growth
April 18, 2013 by admin
Filed under Baby Problems
Worm infections can be serious for babies as the worms will consume all the essential nutrients and vitamins in their bodies. Symptoms of Worm infections are not seen immediately or are at times overlooked. Worm infections can lead to malnutrition, low weight and anemia. Such young children will fall sick often as the immune systems are damaged and the baby’s growth gets affected.
The different type of worms that are normally infested in babies are: Threadworms / Pinworms, Roundworms, Hookworm, Tapeworms and Whipworms. Ringworm is also mentioned in the same lines but these lead to fungal infection of the skin.
Symptoms of a worm infection:
- loss of appetite due to the pain or discomfort in the tummy
- trouble sleeping, because of the itchiness
- itching or pain around the anus, where the worms entered – this is true particularly for thread or pin worms.
- anemia
- a rash
- nausea
- constant coughs
- painful and frequent urination due to urinary tract infection ( more common in girls)
- blood in the stool
- vomiting – this is rare but children can vomit out round worms.
- diarrhea
How will baby get worms infection:
Babies can get worms from the following sources:
1) Infected soil
This is the most common way children get worms, as worms thrive in any soil that is dirty and damp. Children can get infected from walking barefoot on infected soil, from unclean hands or from food.
2) Infected water
Some types of worms breed in water. Playing, bathing and swimming in standing waters like lakes, dams and puddles, or drinking and eating food contaminated by the water, can cause a worm infection. These days with severe water shortages the source and environmental conditions of water being procured is not known.
Children tend to be affected the most as their immune systems are weaker than those of adults.
3) Infected food or Undercooked food
Worm eggs stay on plants and vegetables that have not been thoroughly washed. We can get infected by eating these vegetables. Animals that live along water areas, such as fish and cattle, can also be sick. So meat and fish that are raw, or not well cooked, can carry worms and infections.
4) Contact with an infected person
If someone your baby is in contact with has worms, they can pass the infection on to your baby if they do not have proper hygiene. Worm eggs can remain under fingernails or on badly washed hands and can pass on from there to your baby’s toys or directly into her mouth.
How serious are worm infections? Will worm infection affect my baby’s growth?
Worm infections can lead to malnutrition, low weight and anemia. Such young children will often fall sick as the immune systems are damaged and the baby’s growth gets affected.
Roundworm infections can be serious. If the worms aren’t treated, they can migrate to the lungs or to the liver, where they can damage these vital organs.
The worm infection also harms infected children’s future physical and intellectual development especially if it results in iron deficiency anemia. Fortunately, timely treatment can prevent this.
Role of parents in avoiding worm infection:
Parents have a major role to safeguard child from worm infections. The oral intake is the major contributing factor for worms. The food should be cooked adequately and avoid children playing in damp soil.
- Follow good sanitation program at home and ensure your surroundings are also maintained.
- Teach your children good hygiene practices to protect them from worm infections.
- Consume filtered water or pre boiled water.
- Identify the symptoms and consult a Pediatrician for further diagnosis. Doctor examines baby and recommends as per status. ( Stool test is commonly done to identify the type of worm infection.)
- Maintain short nails and make sure baby is not putting fingers into his mouth.
- Disinfect clothes, nappies to avoid re-occurrence of worm infection.
- Once the baby is over 2 years you can maintain a schedule and de-worm baby once every six months.
To avoid itchiness application of baby oil on the anus will be relieving for the baby. Be alert to identify the symptoms and adopt Healthy hygiene practices to make sure your baby is bubbly and is not affected by worm infection which affects baby’s growth.
Tender Coconut Water is Better Than Baby’s Formula Milk
Tender Coconut water is nature’s gift to mankind. It is like manna from the trees. Tender coconut water is a healthy natural beverage that has been provided by nature.
Did you know that Tender Coconut water is better than processed baby milk as it contains high levels of Lauric acid that is present in breast milk. Lauric acid is used by the body to make monolaurin, a disease fighting fatty acid derivative. Babies make monolaurin from the lauric acid during breast feeding therefore it is essential that nursing mothers consume Tender coconut water.
Lauric acid has amazing anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties that protects the babies and young children from various infections.
Tender Coconut water helps to cure diseases. Ideal for feeding infants who have stomach upset and are not accepting regular milk. You can feed this water to babies suffering from watery motions, constipation an intestinal worms . Coconut water is relatively low in sugar compared to other fruit juices.
Coconut water is more nutritious than whole milk. It has less fats and no cholesterol. You need to restrict the consumption of coconut water for a baby in a day. Coconut water is pure and contains natural sugar, salts, vitamins to keep away fatigue and it is considered an energy drink. It is better than the sugary juices that are given to the baby.
Tender coconut water is recommended for pregnant women as it provides nourishment for self and the benefits are transferred to the growing baby. Contains organic compounds that possess growth promoting properties.
Tender coconut water is a perfect drink to quench the baby’s thirst especially when you are on an outing or traveling. It is naturally sterile and therefore you need not be worried about contamination and hygiene issues while serving this drink for the baby.
You can keep the summer heat away, it also supplements as an electrolyte to balance health. It prevents urinary infections and removes kidney stones, if any. Tender coconut water treats malnourishment conditions too, considered to be an oral rehydration medium.
Ideal to consume coconut water fresh as with time and exposure it starts to ferment and that is not recommended for a baby.
You can apply the water of tender coconut on the body for prickly heat and summer boils and subsides the rashes caused by chicken pox, prickly heat rashes, measles, etc.
The benefits of tender coconut water are numerous . Therefore it is considered to be better than processed baby milk.
How To Keep Your Baby Comfortable and Healthy in Summer
Summer has set in with the heat and you need to keep your baby cool and comfortable. Your baby’s health is most important and you need to protect your little one from all external conditions that would affect his health.
Choice of clothes
Select cotton clothes of light colors. Baby will be comfortable as it does not attract the heat and sweat does not get trapped which is a major cause for prickly heat to occur. Preferably use cotton nappies unless it cannot be avoided like traveling, attending a function. If you are using disposable nappy ensure baby is retained in cool environment.
Stay indoors during peak hours
To avoid the peak time of the sun’s heat, it is recommended that you do not go out between 10 am to 5 pm. In case situation demands you going out with the baby then wear suitable clothes, cover the baby’s head and keep away from direct sunlight as baby will feel drained and may fall sick due to the heat wave.
You can take the baby out in the evenings in his pram and show him the world around him. This will be a good exercise – walking schedule for the parents too.
Baby has to be given more liquids
Baby has to be given liquids in addition to milk. If baby is less than six months and exclusively breast fed there is no need to give boiled & cooled water separately. If baby is on formula feed you need to feed baby with water, coconut water or fruit juices in addition to milk. For kids above 8 months, appetite has increased, avoid buying food and drink from the road side vendors. Baby may fall sick due to unhygienic conditions at the stalls or the contaminated water used in the process and handling. Train babies to have homemade stuff. Carry water and food when you go out with the baby.
Avoid using excess talcum powder
Consult the doctor if baby skin has rashes. Apply coconut oil or olive oil while massaging your baby and to cool the baby’s skin. Wash away all oil during bath time. Consult a doctor for the right sunscreen to be used when you plan an outing. Use a mild moisturizing soap. Apply talcum powder scarcely and after all moisture is wiped from the body.
Keep your baby from direct air of cooler or AC
Ensure your baby is way from direct cool air from the Air cooler or AC. This will ensure baby does not catch cold. After bathing your baby do not place him under high speed of fan or AC. Baby will feel cold and become uncomfortable.
Let baby enjoy bath time
You can give him extra bathes. Need not wet the hair and head, the body should be addressed. Place baby in a small bath tub and fill lukewarm water into the basin up to stomach level when baby sits in the tub. Never, ever leave the baby alone even for a single moment. Give him some water toys, your baby is going to enjoy this play in water and will definitely make noise for taking him out water
Protect baby from insect bites
Keep baby within mosquito nets. Insect bites will leave rashes on body that will swell and ooze. Summer is the time for allergies and health problems due to extreme hot conditions. Wear long sleeved clothes and full covered thin pyjamas. Avoid standing water in and around your house which lead to breeding of mosquitoes. Protect your home with mosquito mesh on windows and doors
Follow all precautionary measures to keep your baby healthy this summer. If your baby is comfortable he will play and be normal throughout the day. If he is uneasy with the heat he will definitely put you to task.
