Epidemiology

Ascariasis is a common infection in tropical and subtropical regions; 730 million to 804 million people are estimated to be infected worldwide.​[3][4]​​ Within this global cohort, many are at risk for severe, sometimes life threatening complications.[3][10][11]

In economically developed countries, ascariasis is primarily found in recent immigrants and children adopted from endemic countries.

Clay-containing soils favor the survival and dissemination of Ascaris eggs after rainfall. Eggs can also withstand freezing; therefore, the infection extends into northern temperate zones. Only cold, arid climates seem free of infection. Sanitation, socioeconomic status, and access to health care are additional factors that influence the likelihood of infection within a given population.[12]​​ Heavy worm burdens are more common in children than adults.[1][13] In preschool-age children, exposure to subsistence agriculture has been associated with higher intensity infections.[14]

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