What is the recommended specimen for recovering Enterobius vermicularis in pediatric patients?

The recommended specimen for recovering Enterobius vermicularis, commonly known as the pinworm, in pediatric patients is a series of Scotch tape preparations. This method is particularly effective because Enterobius vermicularis has a distinctive life cycle and behavioral pattern. The female pinworm lays her eggs around the perianal region while the child is asleep, which leads to a higher chance of detecting eggs using this tape method.

In practice, the tape is applied to the perianal area and then placed on a glass slide for microscopic examination. This process captures the eggs laid by the female worm, making it a reliable way to diagnose pinworm infection, especially since the eggs are often not found in stool samples.

Other methods, such as stool specimens or sigmoidoscopy scrapings, may not be as effective for this specific parasite, as pinworm eggs are more commonly found externally rather than in the digestive tract. Duodenal aspirates, while useful for detecting other types of intestinal parasites, are not relevant techniques for Enterobius vermicularis due to its location and behavior. Thus, the Scotch tape method stands out as the most appropriate and effective choice for diagnosing pinworm infections in pediatric patients.