TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Chapter 324. Ascariasis A1 - Schieffelin, John S. A1 - Oberhelman, Richard A. A2 - Rudolph, Colin D. A2 - Rudolph, Abraham M. A2 - Lister, George E. A2 - First, Lewis R. A2 - Gershon, Anne A. Y1 - 2011 N1 - T2 - Rudolph's Pediatrics, 22e AB - Ascariasis is caused by the intestinal roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. The World Health Organization has estimated that more than 800 million people are infected with A lumbricoides, with the largest number of infections occurring in Asia.1,2 In areas of high prevalence, infection rates as high as 95% have been noted. Tropical areas with warm, wet climates favor year-round transmission and are more likely to have high prevalence rates. In the United States, the highest infection rates are among immigrants from developing countries (20–60% infected in some surveys). Young children are infected most frequently, with peak prevalence in children between the ages of 3 and 8 years living in the tropics. Intensity of infection or worm burden typically decreases significantly after the age of 15 years. Infections tend to cluster in families. Individuals may be asymptomatic and shed eggs for years, thus enhancing transmission. SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=7030865 ER -