Persistent diarrhea in Vietnamese children: a preliminary report.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Persistent diarrhea is a significant health concern in young children.
• Understanding its clinical and laboratory features is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of persistent diarrhea in children under three years of age.
• To identify risk factors and common pathogens associated with persistent diarrhea.

Main Methods:

• A study of 83 children under three years old treated for persistent diarrhea.
• Clinical data collection and stool specimen analysis for enteric pathogens.

Main Results:

• The highest incidence of diarrhea occurred in infants aged 4-5 months.
• Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen (24%), followed by enteropathogenic E. coli (8%), rotavirus (5%), Candida (6%), and Giardia lamblia (4%).
• Persistent diarrhea was more prevalent in infants under six months and often occurred during the first diarrheal episode (66.5%).

Conclusions:

• Persistent diarrhea in young children is frequently associated with specific enteric pathogens.
• Antibiotic administration correlated with prolonged diarrhea duration, suggesting a need for cautious use.