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Cutaneous Larva Migrans, Pediatric

Ross Newman, DO, MHPE Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Infestation of the epidermis by the infectious larvae of certain nematodes, classically manifesting with an intensely pruritic, serpiginous skin lesion 

EPIDEMIOLOGY

Worldwide distribu...

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is clinical. Organisms are rarely recovered from biopsy, and antibody titers are unreliable. 

HISTORY

  • Incubation period

    • Usual time from infectious exposure to symptoms is 7 to 10 days...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Albendazole

    • 1st-line recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

    • Used by the World Health Organization (WHO) in children 1 year and older at reduced dosing

    • ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Symptoms persist for 8 weeks but up to 1 year in untreated patients.

  • Those with extensive involvement should be seen after treatment to be certai...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • American Academy of Pediatrics. Cutaneous larva migrans. In: Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, et al, eds. Red Book: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 30th ed. ...

CODES

ICD9

  • 126.9 Ancylostomiasis and necatoriasis, unspecified

  • 126.2 Ancylostomiasis due to ancylostoma braziliense

  • 126.9 Ancylostomiasis and necatoriasis, unspecified

ICD10

  • B76.9 Hookworm disease, unspeci...

FAQ

  • Q: Can children spread the infection to each other?

  • A: The usual spread of infection is from direct contact with the larvae. Person-to-person spread does not occur.

  • Q: What is the role of treatment ...

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