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Correspondence

Indian Pediatr 2018;55: 615-616

Treat Worm Infestation Before Proceeding Further in Cases of Anemia

 

Arun Prasad* and Pratap Patra

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India.
Email: [email protected]

    


We read with interest the recent publication in Indian Pediatrics by Narang, et al. [1], and have the following comments to offer:

1. Anemia is commonly associated with Celiac disease [2]. This research article would be useful in making the clinician more aware of possibility of celiac disease in cases of unexplained anemia.

2. The subset of excluded patients does not include information about the patients with worm infestation; although, stool examination was performed in the study. It is an important information because a sizable number of children in our country have worm infestation as an important identifiable cause of anemia [3,4]. If worm infestation is detected, it should be treated before proceeding for any further workup. Other conditions, including celiac disease should be suspected if anemia does not respond to anthelminthic and iron therapy.

References

1. Narang M, Natarajan R, Shah D. Celiac disease in children with moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia. Indian Pediatr. 2018;55:31-4.

2. Singh P, Arora S, Makharia GK. Presence of anemia in patients with celiac disease suggests more severe disease. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2014;33:161-4.

3. Bharti B, Bharti S, Khurana S. Worm infestation: Diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Indian J Pediatr. 2017, Nov 11. [Epub ahead of print].

4. Acharya AS, Kaur R, Goel AD. Neglected tropical diseases – challenges and opportunities in India. Indian J Med Specialities. 2010;8:102-8.

 

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