MillenniumPost
Delhi

New lease of life for 8-yr-old with tapeworm eggs in brain

New Delhi: The parents of eight-year-old Trushika (name changed) got the shock of their life when they were told that their daughter's brain is infected by tapeworm eggs. The little girl was admitted to a private hospital, after enduring severe headaches and epileptic seizures for six long months.

Trushika was diagnosed with neurocysticercosis – an infectious disease caused by a tapeworm – after numerous cysts were discovered in her brain, causing her to swell beyond her perfectly normal 40 kg frame to a bulky 60 kg. She was also breathless and unable to walk, and despite heavy medications, her epileptic seizures and headache remained.

"CT scan of girl's brain showed more than a hundred white dots, formed due to tapeworm eggs. Such an infection is caused by accidentally eating foods infested by tapeworms. When eggs reach the brain through the nervous system they cause neurocysticercosis, characterised by a severe headache, epileptic seizures and confusion," said neurologist Dr Praveen Gupta.

Her treatment began by reducing the swelling with decongestants and later steroids. Gradually, the tapeworm eggs were treated and she underwent therapy.

Gradually, she lost all the extra weight, began walking and finally resume school.

"We had no idea that our daughter could ever get such a dreadful disease. But I think we are extremely lucky to have reached here and get right treatment before the eggs hatched and did more damage to her brain," says Trushika's father, who looks extremely relieved after his daughter's six-month long ordeal.

Explaining the disorder, Dr Gupta said, "People often do not know, but tapeworm infestation of the brain is fairly common. The parasitic infestation is caused by accidentally eating improperly washed fruits, vegetables and undercooked meat infected by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium."

"The symptoms manifest themselves only after the development of characteristic cysts, which most often affects the central nervous system. However, sometimes people with this disorder never experience any symptoms," Dr Gupta added.

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