Toddler Passed Rare Worm After Eating Cockroach
A February 2025 case report details a child who contracted a rare parasite after ingesting an infected insect.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Toddlers
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In February 2025, a case report confirmed a toddler passed a Moniliformis moniliformis worm after eating a cockroach. The parasite, typically found in rodents, was successfully treated with medication despite the child showing no clinical symptoms.
Why it matters
The case highlights the risk of parasitic infection in children who frequently explore their environment by placing insects in their mouths. Detection is often aided by caregivers noticing worms in diapers.
The child received three doses of pyrantel pamoate at 11 mg/kg, spaced two weeks apart. A follow-up stool test conducted two weeks after the final dose confirmed the child was negative for parasites.
The players
Sallie Lin
She is one of the co-authors of the February 2025 case report published in BMJ Case Reports.
Jackie Otero
She is a co-author of the study documenting the rare parasitic infection in a toddler.
Alexandra Stern
She contributed as a co-author to the medical case report detailing the treatment of the child.
Stephanie Kirkconnell
She is a co-author who helped document this instance of an insect-borne parasitic infection.
The details
Researchers identified the parasite as Moniliformis moniliformis, a thorny-headed worm that cycles through arthropods. Humans, particularly toddlers, risk infection when they swallow insects that have consumed worm eggs.
Timeline
1989: A prior U.S. case was reported in Pensacola, Florida.
2007: A separate case was documented in an Iranian child.
2011: Research was published regarding two toddlers in Florida.
2021: A scientific review was published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
February 2025: The current case report was published in BMJ Case Reports.
The Big Picture
This case follows a pattern of rare parasite transmission established by the 1989 case in Pensacola. It underscores how documented historical precedents help clinicians identify unusual infections in pediatric patients.
Caregivers should remain vigilant during toddler exploration as placing small insects in the mouth can lead to parasitic ingestion. Recognizing changes in diaper contents remains the most effective way to detect such infections early.
The takeaway
Parents and caregivers should maintain awareness of toddlers' tendency to ingest small insects while playing on the ground. Quick medical consultation is essential if any unusual findings are spotted in a child's stool.
Further reading
Learn more about health and development in our Toddlers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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Is it currently a high priority to keep insects out of areas where toddlers play?
