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Pregnant With Worm In The Stool. Is It Dangerous For The Baby? Is The Medication Safe?
I m 6 month pregnant and today have found worm in my stool. First of all I want to know that is there any problem having worm at that stage? Is that dangerous for my child? I have heard that medication for killing worms is not safe during pregnancy. Please help me to get rid of this problem. What type of remedy should i take during this situation
Thu, 2 May 2013
Hello and welcome to HCM,
The pregnancy and worms in the gastrointestinal tract are not related to each other.
The worm will not cause any harmful effect on the baby directly as the two are separate from each other.
The worm in the GIT will not reach the gestational sac in the uterus.
However, the worm may cause anemia in you due to chronic blood loss.
There are very effective anti helminithic agents in the market.
However, many drugs are not safe during pregnancy.
You need to visit your gynaecologist for prescription of the anti helminthic agents.
The treatment depends on the type of worm causing the infection.
This can be determined by stool examination.
Thanks and take care.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
The pregnancy and worms in the gastrointestinal tract are not related to each other.
The worm will not cause any harmful effect on the baby directly as the two are separate from each other.
The worm in the GIT will not reach the gestational sac in the uterus.
However, the worm may cause anemia in you due to chronic blood loss.
There are very effective anti helminithic agents in the market.
However, many drugs are not safe during pregnancy.
You need to visit your gynaecologist for prescription of the anti helminthic agents.
The treatment depends on the type of worm causing the infection.
This can be determined by stool examination.
Thanks and take care.
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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User's Response
Dr. Sharmila Bura's
Response
Hi,Thanks, There are a few types of intestinal worms and treating them requires knowing which worm has infected you. Some of the common afflictions that occur are Enterobiasis caused by the pinworm, Ascariasis caused by the Ascaris worm, Anchylostomiasis by the hookworm, Trichuriasis by the parasitic whipworm, to name a few. In all of these worm infestations, the worms can disrupt normal intestinal function, cause anemia, and deplete your nourishment levels. The most common drugs that are used include Praziquantel, Oxamniquine, Castor oil, mebendazole, piperazine, Pyrantel pamoate, Albendazole, Hexylresorcinol, and Thiabendazole. Most of these drugs should not be had during pregnancy but some of these drugs like Hexylresorcinol, Thiabendazole, and Pipeazine have not had their effects on pregnancy studied very well. This means that it is not worth taking the risk of trying it out either. Of the items in the list, Castor oil would appear to be the safest natural alternative unfortunately; this has some side effects in causing labor pains. Regardds, dr.Sharmila
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