[Tropical parasitic diseases in children].

All children returning from countries where parasitic diseases are endemic should be investigated for one or several of these diseases according to the region visited and the duration of the visit. Investigations should include at least a parasitological examination of the stools, sometimes completed by a search for urinary schistosomiasis and, at the slightest suspicion, an examination of the eye. The gastrointestinal and percutaneous modes of transmission of parasitoses are such that children are particularly at risk. The most frequently encountered diseases are ankylostomiasis, anguilluliasis, amoebiasis, urinary schistomiasis and filariasis. Side by side with these strictly tropical parasitoses, one may find massive infestation with ascarides and lamblias. Effective and well tolerated treatments are available for most of these diseases, but advice on prophylactic measures is essential to reduce the risk of contamination.