Paediatrics, by video or in person
Worms in Children
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Worms in Children
- Often no symptoms at all
- Tummy pain or a swollen tummy
- Poor appetite, or poor weight gain
- Looking pale and tired, from anaemia
- An itchy bottom at night, and disturbed sleep (threadworms)
Published Mezo prices. Each links to what the price covers.
Intestinal worms are common in children in Nigeria. The main ones, roundworm, whipworm and hookworm, spread through soil contaminated with human stool: children swallow the eggs from unwashed hands, food or water, and hookworm gets in through bare feet. Threadworms are tiny white worms that cause an itchy bottom, especially at night, and spread easily within a family. A few worms often cause no symptoms, but heavy infection can cause tummy pain, diarrhoea, poor appetite, anaemia and poor growth. WHO recommends routine deworming of preschool and school-age children where worms are common, alongside handwashing, clean water, toilets and shoes.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Often no symptoms at all
- Tummy pain or a swollen tummy
- Poor appetite, or poor weight gain
- Looking pale and tired, from anaemia
- An itchy bottom at night, and disturbed sleep (threadworms)
- Worms seen in the stool or around the bottom
- Diarrhoea, sometimes with mucus or blood
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now if your child has a swollen, hard tummy with vomiting, especially green vomit, and is not passing stool, which can mean the bowel is blocked; has blood in the stool with fever and weakness; or is very pale, breathless or drowsy. See a doctor if your child is losing weight or not growing, looks pale, has had diarrhoea for two weeks or more, or you have seen worms in the stool. A baby under one should be seen by a doctor rather than given deworming medicine from a shop. A paediatrician by video can advise on deworming and whether your child needs a stool or blood test.
Treatment options
- A deworming medicine of the right type and strength for your child's age, from a doctor or pharmacist
- Routine deworming once or twice a year where worms are common, as WHO advises for preschool and school-age children
- Treating the whole household at the same time for threadworms
- A check for anaemia in a pale or tired child, and iron where it is needed
- A stool test when symptoms continue after deworming
- Handwashing with soap after the toilet and before eating, short clean nails, clean water, washed fruit and vegetables, and shoes outdoors
What it costs on Mezo
Starting cash prices for the treatments used for this condition.
Common Questions
How often should my child be dewormed?
WHO advises routine deworming of young and school-age children once or twice a year where worms are common, which includes much of Nigeria. Your child's doctor can tell you what fits your child's age and where you live.
Do sweets cause worms?
No. Worms come from swallowing eggs from soil, unwashed hands, food or water, or through bare feet. Sweets do not cause worms, though they do harm teeth.
Can a paediatrician treat worms by video?
Often, yes. A paediatrician can assess the symptoms, advise on the right deworming medicine for your child's age, and arrange a stool or blood test if your child is pale, losing weight or not improving.
Need Help?
A children's doctor on a video call, who tells you whether your child needs to be examined in person.
See a paediatrician by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
Find a verified paediatrics specialist near you.
Paediatrics in Lagos →Paediatrics in Abuja →Paediatrics in Port Harcourt →Paediatrics in Jos →Paediatrics in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Soil-transmitted helminth infections. World Health Organization. Fact sheet.
- Preventive chemotherapy to control soil-transmitted helminth infections in at-risk population groups. World Health Organization, 2017. Clinical guideline.
- Threadworms. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 29 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.