The larvae hatch in the duodenum and molt as they migrate to the ileocecal area. They mature in 30-45 days. This is a direct life cycle. Pathology includes inflammation of intestine, secondary bacterial infections, severe itching from the eggs, and vaginitis in young girls. The pinworm is a parasite that does not seem associated with any particular socioeconomic group.
Fomites are the most common form of transmission, along with fecal-oral and autoinfection.
500 million infections are reported worldwide, which makes pinworm one of the most common nematode infections along with Ascarids and whipworm.