A case of a four-year-old with helminthiasis complicated by intestinal obstruction and atrial trigeminy

Abstract

A child presented with a 4-day history of abdominal pain and distension, constipation, and bilious vomiting. The diagnosis of intestinal obstruction secondary to multiple worm boluses in the intestinal lumen was established during laparotomy. Intraoperatively, he suffered a cardiac arrest which was preceded by an episode of near-fatal arrhythmia. The arrythmia was thought to be a complication of eosinophilic myocarditis which had hitherto not been widely documented in children with heavy worm infestation. As children bear a significant burden of helminthiasis, there is a need to intensify public deworming programme.