Enterobiasis in a Pediatric Institution

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Abstract
Within the past few years there have been a number of reports in the literature on pinworm infestation, some of which suggest an incidence in pediatric institutions running as high as 90% 1,2 and others a symptomatology considerably more serious than has generally been observed.3 This reported symptomatology includes instances of asthma, hives, gastroenteritis, vaginitis, salpingitis, purpura, epilepsy, encephalopathy, photophobia, transient blindness, fecal impactions, subcutaneous tumors, rectal polyps, neurasthenia, nymphomania, appendicitis, hematuria, cystitis, and others. Our impressions at the Mississippi Baptist Children's Village tend to confirm the high incidence. As far as we have been able to observe, however, symptoms have been confined chiefly to pruritus, restlessness, poor sleep, and loss of appetite on the part of some young patients. Lack of proper sleep and nourishment may, of course, lead to serious behavioral and emotional problems and chronic pruritus to eczema-like lesions.2 Because of this, and because of

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