[Etiologic, clinical and socio-democratic characteristics of acute diarrhea in Venezuela]

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M I Urrestarazu1, F Liprandi, E Pérez de Suárez

  • 1Sección de Microbiología, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.

Revista Panamericana De Salud Publica = Pan American Journal of Public Health
|October 12, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Rotaviruses are the primary cause of acute diarrhea in Venezuelan children under five, frequently leading to dehydration. Other pathogens like Campylobacter and E. coli are significant in infants, highlighting age as a key factor in diarrhea severity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Context:

  • Acute diarrhea is a major health concern in children globally.
  • Venezuela faces significant challenges in managing pediatric infectious diseases.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the epidemiological, clinical, and etiological factors of acute diarrhea in children under five in Venezuela.
  • To identify the primary causative agents and their association with disease severity.

Summary:

  • A hospital-based study in Venezuela (1993-1995) analyzed 2,552 children with diarrhea and 793 controls.
  • Rotaviruses were the leading cause (30%), strongly linked to dehydration (58%).
  • Campylobacter spp. (13%) and E. coli (9%) were also identified, with significant association in infants under 3 months.

Impact:

  • Findings underscore the critical role of rotavirus in pediatric diarrhea and dehydration.
  • Highlights the importance of age-specific etiological considerations for effective treatment strategies.
  • Confirms age as a crucial determinant in the prevalence and severity of childhood diarrhea.

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