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Persistent diarrhea in Vietnamese children: a preliminary report
Insights
Persistent diarrhea in young children is often linked to enteric pathogens and nonenteric infections. Antibiotic use was found to prolong diarrhea duration in infants, highlighting the need for cautious treatment approaches.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Persistent diarrhea is a significant health concern in children under three years old.
- Understanding the clinical and laboratory features is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of persistent diarrhea in young children.
- To identify common pathogens and risk factors associated with persistent diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 83 children 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.
- Enteric pathogens were identified in 36% of cases, including enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (24%) and rotavirus (5%).
- Antibiotic treatment correlated with a longer duration of diarrhea (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Persistent diarrhea in infants is frequently associated with enteric pathogens and nonenteric infections.
- Early-onset diarrhea and antibiotic use are factors influencing disease duration.
Abstract:
The clinical and laboratory features of persistent diarrhea were investigated in 83 children under three years of age who were treated in the Gastroenterology Division of the Institute for the Protection of Children's Health, Hanoi from August 1988 to August 1989. The number of cases of diarrhea was highest in the children aged 4-5 months. The mean age of the children studied was 6.6 +/- 3.4 months. The ratio of males to females was 2.6 and mean age of first episode of diarrhea was 4.3 +/- 3.4 months; persistent diarrhea was more common in children under six months of age than in older children. Persistent diarrhea occurred in the first diarrheal episode in 66.5% of cases. Recent nonenteric infections were found in 30% of the study group. Of the 83 children studied, 36% had stool specimens positive for enteric pathogens; 24% had enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated, 8% had enteropathogenic E. coli, 5% rotavirus, 6% Candida, and 4% Giardia lamblia. The duration of diarrhea was longer in children who received antibiotics than in those who did not (p < 0.01).