Pinworm Test Collection Guidelines

Pinworms are tiny white worms that look like small grains of rice. You may see them around your child’s bottom (anus) or in their poop.

Pinworms live in the intestines. At night, the adult female crawls out of the anus at night and lays eggs on the skin around it. This can make the area very itchy and uncomfortable. Sometimes, the worms can also move to a vagina and cause itching there too.

To know for sure if your child’s itching is caused by pinworms, the eggs need to be checked under a microscope. The eggs are too small to see with your eyes alone.

What You Need

To collect a sample for testing, you will need a pinworm collection kit. You can get one from your child’s doctor or health care provider, a Laboratory Service Center, or a Nationwide Children’s Close To Home^SM Center.

Labeling

You may be given an EPIC registration label to put on the container(s). If not, label the sample as follows:

• Before collecting the sample:
  • Child’s full legal first and last names, spelled correctly.
  • One of the following unique identifiers:
    • Date of birth or
    • Patient’s ID number or
    • Nationwide Children’s Hospital medical record number
• After collecting the sample:
  • Date of collection (MM/DD/YYYY)
  • Time of collection (include a.m. or p.m.)

Collecting the Sample

1. Collect the sample early in the morning. Do this right after your child wakes up, before they use the toilet or wash up.
2. Fill out the label and stick it on the specimen device. Do not cover the clear window.
3. Have your child lie on their stomach so you can gently separate their buttocks. The anus should be clean. Do not collect a sample if there is poop. If there is poop, wait and try again the next morning.
4. Take the test device (paddle) out of the plastic bag. Keep the bag for later.
5. Carefully peel the protective film from the sticky area. Don’t touch the sticky part.
6. Gently press the sticky side 1 to 2 times on the skin around the anus. Do not put the paddle inside the rectum.
7. Fold the paddle until you hear a click. This seals the sample and keeps it protected.
8. Put the sealed tube into the plastic bag. Make sure the label is filled out completely, then seal the bag.
9. Wash your hands well with soap and water.
10. Bring the sample to the lab. Try to bring it in the same day. If you can’t, store it in the refrigerator. It can be kept there for up to 7 days.

If the lab doesn’t find pinworm eggs and your child is still itching, you may need to do the test again.

Drop-off Options

It’s best to drop the sample off the same day that you collect it.

• During the day, drop it off at:
  • Any Laboratory Service Center or Nationwide Children’s Close To Home^™ Center.
  • Nationwide Children’s Orange Laboratory located at 555 S. 18^th Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205.
• In the evening, drop it off at:
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital Admitting Department on main campus.
• Do not drop off samples at the Emergency Department.
• For hours, locations, or questions, please call Laboratory Services at (800) 934-6575.

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