Ascariasis: death by suffocation

Abstract

This is the presentation of a clinical case of a child 3- year-old from Cosquín (50 km from the city of Córdoba) malnourished, who died of complications from a massive ascariasis, a parasitic disease caused by Ascaris lumbricoides. In this case the Medical consultation was only when complications appeared of the parasitosis, although it was quite time that the girl eliminated parasites by fecal matter. The day of death is presented with dyspnea attributed to aspiration of “noodles”, but in the airway had parasites that caused suffocation and death. The case was reported as doubtful etiology death, an autopsy revealed lung parasites in the gut. The fecal discharges in irrigation canals (for marginal housing) contaminate crops that provide food to the cities, (key variable in spreading parasitic). In high parasite load (e.g. malnutrition.) forms a ball of parasites that obstruct the intestine. Migration in erratic A. lumbricoides can enter natural ducts carrying bile duct obstruction and peritonitis. Through this presentation we want to warn about the potential invasive and serious complications of a parasitic very common in our environment. The case is of particular interest since the parasite was so great in quantity to cause death by aspiration and asphyxia. La health education is substantial aspect, (early medical consultation to avoid complications from curable diseases).