Note when deworming for children

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Vu Quoc Anh - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Dewormers are an easy and relatively safe drug to use. But parents also need to pay attention to how to use medicine for children to achieve high efficiency.

For children, regular deworming should only be started when the child is 2 years of age or older. In the case of children under 2 years of age, if a helminth infection is detected or suspected, the child should be examined and tested for screening, until there is accurate evidence of helminth infection, the child will be treated according to doctor's instructions. Children need to start deworming every 6 months. Currently on the market there are many deworming drugs, including the following popular drugs:
Mebendazole : Use 500 mg form. Fruit sweetened tablets or flavored oral solutions make it as easy for children to swallow as possible. Take a single 500mg/day and is usually taken in the morning. For the drug form of 100 mg per tablet, it is necessary to give the child 2 tablets per day in the morning and evening, for 3 consecutive days. Albendazole: Use 400 mg tablets. 400 mg/day as a single dose and usually taken in the morning. Pyrantel : The drug is presented in the form of 125 mg and 250 mg tablets, the dose is 10 mg per kilogram of body weight. Children take a single dose.

Deworming drugs can cause some side effects such as headache, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, digestive disorders, abdominal pain, diarrhea. But these symptoms are usually mild and go away on their own after a few days. In rare cases, children may have an allergic reaction to the drug such as: rash, itching, hives. At that time, parents should take the child to the medical facility immediately for timely treatment
Now the medicine can be taken during or right after a meal, without fasting or dieting, nor using an enema . But usually the dewormer is used in the morning, before eating.
The current state of helminth infections in our country is alarmingly high. Therefore, everyone needs to take effective preventive measures. First of all, it is necessary to immediately eliminate the habits that make children susceptible to diseases, and build a safe and healthy lifestyle. In addition, parents need to observe abnormal manifestations to promptly detect the disease and do not forget to periodically deworm their children every 6 months.
To prevent diseases that babies often get, parents should pay attention to nutrition to improve children's resistance. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
Please visit the website Vinmec.com regularly and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.