Toddler Passed Rare Worm After Eating Cockroach
A recent case report highlights a rare parasitic infection caused by accidentally swallowing insects.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Toddlers
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In February 2025, a case report detailed a toddler who passed a Moniliformis moniliformis worm after ingesting a cockroach. The child remained asymptomatic throughout the event.
Why it matters
This case highlights why caregivers should be vigilant about toddlers putting insects in their mouths, a common developmental behavior that can lead to rare parasitic infections. Diaper changes can play a key role in identifying unusual findings that warrant medical follow-up.
A case report published in BMJ Case Reports documented a pediatric infection with Moniliformis moniliformis, a thorny-headed worm typically found in rodents. The child was successfully treated with three doses of pyrantel pamoate.
The players
Sallie Lin
A researcher and author of the clinical report documenting the parasitic infection.
Jackie Otero
A medical professional and co-author of the BMJ Case Reports study.
Alexandra Stern
A researcher and contributor to the findings on pediatric parasite transmission.
Stephanie Kirkconnell
A clinician and co-author who helped detail the diagnostic process for this case.
The details
Humans, particularly young children, can become infected when they accidentally swallow insects or arthropods that serve as intermediate hosts for the worm. Once ingested, the larvae develop into mature parasites inside the digestive tract. Because the child was asymptomatic, caregivers were able to identify the issue when the worm was passed in the stool.
Timeline
1989: A case was reported in Pensacola.
2007: A case was reported in an Iranian child.
2011: Two cases were reported in Florida toddlers.
2021: A review was published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
February 2025: A new case report was published in BMJ Case Reports.
Health Landscape
The Journal of Clinical Microbiology review from 2021 provides the baseline for understanding the extreme rarity of human Moniliformis moniliformis infections compared to common pediatric parasites. This report updates the sparse literature on this parasite by detailing a treatment course.
If you notice an unusual object or parasite in a child's stool, save the specimen and contact your pediatrician immediately for guidance. While rare, swallowing insects can introduce parasites that require medical identification and potential treatment.
The takeaway
While pediatric ingestion of insects is common, it carries a small risk of exposure to rare parasites like Moniliformis moniliformis. Caregivers should practice general insect-prevention strategies and consult a doctor if they ever observe unusual materials in a child's stool.
Further reading
For more on managing developmental behaviors and health in young children, visit our Toddlers section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medical Daily.
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