A small white, thin worm about 1/4 inch in length that infects the intestinal tract. The main symptom is usually rectal itching, especially intense at night.

• They may seen with the naked eye and are best seen at night or early in the morning in the rectal area. To diagnose pinworms look with a flashlight in the rectal area a few hours after your child goes to bed or in the early morning. You should see the 1/4 inch threadlike worms moving. Occasionally they are seen with the bowel movement. They come out at night to lay eggs in the rectal area.
• They are extremely common in childhood and are usually contacted from other children. They become infected when they ingest the pinworm eggs. The swallowed egg matures to the adult pinworm after 3 to 4 weeks.
• This infection does not reflect uncleanliness or poor hygiene and frequently does recur.
• They are harmless and do not typically cause abdominal pain or diarrhea.   Occasionally, if the child is heavily infected, abdominal pain may be a problem.
• A laboratory microscopic exam may be done if the diagnosis is uncertain. Discuss with your physician how to order this.

Treatment of pinworms. Call your physician during office hours (it is not really a nighttime emergency) if you have identified the pinworms for prescription medication. Discuss if other family members need treatment also. Alert your physician if anyone in the family is pregnant.

Prevention of pinworms. To prevent reinfection with pinworms, have the child use good handwashing techniques before meals. Vacuum your child's room once a week because any eggs on the floor are infectious for 1 to 2 weeks. Machine wash bedding and clothing will kill any eggs.

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