Pinworms

BASICS

Intestinal infection with Enterobius vermicularis
- Characterized by perineal and perianal itching
- Usually worse at night
System(s) affected: gastrointestinal; skin/exocrine
Synonym(s): enterobiasis

Predominant age: 5 to 14 years

Most common helminthic infection in the United States
- 20 to 42 million people harbor the parasite.
~30% of children are infected worldwide.

Pediatric Considerations
More common in children, who are more likely to become reinfected

Small white worms (2 to 13 mm) inhabit the cecum, appendix, and adjacent portions of the ascending colon following ingestion; associated with multiple case reports of appendicitis
Female worms migrate to the perineal areas at night to deposit eggs; this causes local irritation and itching.
Scratching leads to autoingestion of the eggs and continuation of pinworm’s life cycle within the host. Eggs incubate 1 to 2 months in the host small intestine. When mature, female pinworms migrate to the colon where they lay eggs around the anus at night, and the lifecycle continues.
Infestation by the intestinal nematode E. vermicularis (1)

Hand hygiene, especially after bowel movements
Clip and maintain short fingernails.
Wash anus and genitals at least once a day, preferably during shower.
Avoid scratching anus and putting fingers near nose (pinworm eggs can also be inhaled) or mouth.

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