Dioctophyma renale infestation in a child with unexplained neurological syndrome

Abstract

A 11-year-old boy, previously healthy and developmentally normal, born to a second-degree consanguineous marriage, presented with a history of pain during urination, blood in urine and passage of worms in urine. There is history of one episode of abnormal movements, generalized weakness, muscle aches and difficulty in walking during the episode. On systemic examination, gait ataxia was noted. Routine blood investigations were within normal limits and urine showed the presence of eggs of Dioctophyma renale. The abdominal ultrasonography revealed a small and shrunken left kidney with compensatory hypertrophy of the right kidney. Histopathological analysis of the expelled worm was identified as Dioctophyma renale. He was treated with Ivermectin for 2 weeks and his symptoms subsided. Here we present a rare case of Dioctophymosis with waxing and waning neurological symptoms and to our knowledge this is the first case of Dioctophyma renale infestation reported in a child.