Is It Possible For An Infant To Be Infected By Worm Infestation?

Posted on Wed, 10 Dec 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 Answered on

Fri, 26 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : This morning I was changing my son's pee diaper from the night. He is 9 months old and I found what appeared to me to look like a segment of a worm. I always thought worms had to be in feces but he did not have any in his diaper and that was there. I have called my doctors office and they said for me to wait a couple days and look for more because they don't believe that it could be a worm. what do you think?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like a mucus shred

Detailed Answer:
Hi....I have seen the image. By what I could see in the image it looks like mucus shred. It doesn't look like a piece of worm.

It is unusual but not impossible for a 9 month old baby to have worm infestation. I suggest you keep the photo with you when you go to your doctor's office next.

Even if it's a worm you need not worry as its very simple to treat. However your doctor might also prescribe some iron supplements if he or she notices any pallor in the baby.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar