Introduction:

Myiasis is an important public health problem. In Ecuador its cause is mainly attributed to Cochliomyia hominivorax.

Objective:

Describe the clinical characteristics and the treatment of patients admitted for myiasis at Dr. Francisco de Icaza Bustamante Children's Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted of the medical data of 84 patients diagnosed with myiasis admitted from 2011 to 2018. The variables analyzed were sex, age, number of cases per month and year, form of presentation, symptoms, hospital stay duration, and meteorological factors. The database was processed with the software MS Excel 2013.

Results:

Mean age was 6 years (5 months-14 years); 27.4% were male and 72.6% were female. The largest number of admissions occurred in the summer season, from July to December. Records were found of cutaneous (79.8%), aural (17.9%) and oral (2.3%) myiasis. Mean hospital stay duration was 6 days (1-36 days).

Conclusions:

It is necessary to perform activities aimed at preventing the disease in the community as well as develop appropriate management protocols in health facilities. Health care providers should adequately record the clinical data required to develop relevant statistical information leading to the implementation of effective health policies.

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