Leech infestation in children through body orifices: experience in a hospital in Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION: Bangladesh harbors many leeches in its vast wetlands. Leeches have a tendency to enter through body orifices with potentially life-threatening consequences. Literature search revealed inadequate description of clinical manifestations and treatment of leech infestations in children. We describe our experience with leech infestations in children. METHODS: Between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2010, 17 cases of leech infestation through body orifices in children were managed. This is a retrospective study on age, sex, route of leech entry, investigation and treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: Age ranged from 4.5 to 11 years (mean 6.4 ± 1.8) and females accounted for more than 70 %. The orifices of leech entry include urethra, vagina, and rectum. Leeches could be found in eight cases. Two boys with leeches in the urinary bladder needed suprapubic removal. Leeches were retrieved from the vagina under general anesthesia in three cases, and on three occasions leeches came out from the vagina after normal saline instillation. In nine cases with different routes of entry where leech was not found, instillation of normal saline was sufficient to stop bleeding. Fifteen cases presented with bleeding and transfusion was required in five cases with Hb% <7 gm/dl. CONCLUSIONS: Leech infestation through lower body orifices is common in children of rural Bangladesh. Prompt diagnosis is of paramount importance, and application of normal saline is effective in most cases. Sometimes surgical intervention is required.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

In this series, 17 children aged 4.5 to 11 years had leech infestation through the urethra, vagina, or rectum; 15 presented with bleeding, five required transfusion, and normal-saline instillation was effective in most cases.

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