Is deworming safe for a child below two years of age?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

Yes, your child can take the deworming drug if prescribed by your pediatrician or if she is participating in your community’s deworming program. Albendazole is the most widely used medication for deworming.

For children between 12 and 23 months of age, the usual dose is Albendazole 200 mg by mouth as a single dose. Once a child is two years old or older, the usual dose is 400 mg as a single dose. Since your daughter has not yet turned two, if she needs deworming now, the appropriate dose would be 200 mg once.

On the other hand, you may allow her to grow up to two years and administer the 400 mg of the medication in case it is advised by her physician.

In cases when children pass worms through the feces, they scratch around their anus, particularly at night, suffer from abdominal pain, poor appetite, and reside in areas with endemic worm infections, deworming becomes a more effective method.

Sometimes deworming medicines are administered to children even without any specific symptoms in certain regions of the country.

At the same time, promote hygiene among children, cut their nails, rinse fruits and vegetables, and maintain proper hygiene practices within the family to prevent worm re-infection in the future.

I would also like to pose several questions to you:

• Does she ever pass worms or scratch around her anus?

• Has she recently had poor appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, or diarrhea?

• Are you interested in deworming as a preventive measure or suspect that she has worm infections?

Your answers will enable me to advise you more appropriately and determine whether deworming alone will be sufficient or examination or stool test is required.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.