Pediculosis causing iron deficiency anaemia in school children

Burke, Sandra Drozdz; Mir, P

doi:10.1136/archdischild-2011-300791

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…[10][11][12] Although there have been a few cases of pediculosis capitis reported as being causes of IDA, a causal relationship has yet to be established between the two in medical literature. [13][14][15] One reported cause of head lice infestations is poor hygiene. Guss et al conducted a case study series to investigate head lice infestation among homeless people.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

10-year-old case report of pediculosis with severe anaemia

Almansoor

Alshoshan

2023

Int J Adv Med

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Excessive consumption of cow milk and menorrhagia are the two most common causes of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in children. However, there have been reported cases of parasitic infestation causing IDA. Pediculus humanus survives on human blood, and prolonged blood loss causes anaemic symptoms. In the current case report, a 10-year-old girl complained of pallor and dizziness. During her physical examination, a head lice infestation was discovered. The patient had no history of chronic illness and used to eat a normal diet that was high in iron. Her haemoglobin level was measured to be 4 g/dl. Doctors determined that the severe iron deficiency was caused due to the head lice infestation. To reach the required haemoglobin level, she was admitted to the hospital and given a blood transfusion. Her head was washed with permethrin 1% shampoo, which removed over 60% of the lice in a single wash. She was instructed to wash her hair with the shampoo again after seven days.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

10-year-old case report of pediculosis with severe anaemia

Almansoor

Alshoshan

2023

Int J Adv Med

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“…Investigations including upper and lower endoscopies were carried out but failed to find a significant cause for the iron-deficiency anaemia in these patients. No studies have been performed in children but two case reports and a poster presentation have described this phenomenon 1 4 5. Investigations made in these cases for the severe anaemia concluded that lice infestation was the cause.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pediculosis capitis (head lice) is common in the paediatric population, affecting up to 1/3 of children in the UK 1. There have been documented cases of head lice infestation associated with iron-deficiency anaemia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A ghost covered in lice: a case of severe blood loss with long-standing heavy pediculosis capitis infestation

Hau

Muhi-Iddin

2014

BMJ Case Reports

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SUMMARYAn 11-year-old child presented with poor school attendance, and signs and symptoms of severe anaemia. He was heavily covered in lice. He was investigated for other causes of anaemia. Following treatment for head lice and also iron supplementation, he was back in full-time education. This case highlights the link between head lice ( pediculosis capitis) infestation and irondeficiency anaemia. BACKGROUND

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“…Even though head lice infestation is associated with limited morbidity and its agent is not recognized as an important disease vector, it causes a high level of anxiety among parents of school-aged children 15 , lack of concentration in school and it can lead to dangerous secondary infections of the excoriated scalp lesion 16 . Moreover, it can lead to iron deficiency anaemia 17,18 and even autosensitization dermatitis 19 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological aspects of pediculosis by Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) in Minas Gerais: a systematic review

et al. 2023

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Background Head lice, or head pediculosis, is a parasitosis considered a serious public health problem that affects mainly resource-limited countries. Objective To describe epidemiological aspects of the pediculosis capitis in Minas Gerais, in Brazil. Method This systematic review was conducted through the standards established by the Preferred Reporting Items in Systematic Reviews and Metanalyses (PRISMA). PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO databases, as well as the gray literature, were searched. Results Nine of 1,167 studies were included, published between 1988 and 2019. These studies reported a total prevalence of parasitosis that ranged from 1.4% to 57.4%. The prevalence of head lice ranged from 0.0% to 66.7% for males and 2.3% to 57.4% for females, thus being higher in black-skinned people (1.4% to 40.3%). Regarding age, the highest prevalence was 10-12 years old (45.3%). As for the characteristics of the hair, there was a greater infestation in people with long (16.0% to 79.5%), wavy (0.0% to 44.7%), dark (0.0% to 36.6%), with low capillary density (35.4%), and thick hair (39.2%). Conclusion Head pediculosis affects both sexes, different ages, and races, representing an important health problem in Minas Gerais, not only due to the presence of ectoparasite but also to the secondary complications that can be generated from this parasitism.

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Pediculosis causing iron deficiency anaemia in school children

Cited by 12 publications

References 3 publications

10-year-old case report of pediculosis with severe anaemia

10-year-old case report of pediculosis with severe anaemia

A ghost covered in lice: a case of severe blood loss with long-standing heavy pediculosis capitis infestation

Epidemiological aspects of pediculosis by Pediculus humanus capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae) in Minas Gerais: a systematic review

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