Parasites

Enteric parasites most often produce gastrointestinal symptoms—abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, and distention.

Children, particularly toddlers, are more susceptible to these infestations, owing to their habits of “mouthing” all sorts of environmental objects, their propensity to go barefoot, and their immunologic “naiveté.”

The most useful investigation to confirm the diagnosis is a stool test, with which over 35 species of parasites can be identified.