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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
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Published on: June 24, 2020

THE PATHOGENESIS OF ACUTE DIARRHOEAL DISEASE IN EARLY LIFE

G J DAMMIN

    Bulletin of the World Health Organization
    |January 1, 1964
    PubMed

    Insights

    Malnutrition and diarrheal disease in Guatemalan children were linked to an overgrowth of gut bacteria, not typical pathogens. This bacterial imbalance may cause diarrhea in malnourished children.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Gastroenterology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Nutritional Science

    Background:

    • Childhood mortality in Guatemala City highlighted the need to investigate links between malnutrition, enteric infections, and diarrheal disease.
    • Malnutrition and diarrhea were prevalent issues within the studied pediatric population.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore potential correlations between malnutrition, enteric infection, and diarrheal disease in deceased children.
    • To identify etiological factors contributing to diarrheal disease in malnourished children.

    Main Methods:

    • Investigated consecutive child deaths in Guatemala City.
    • Assessed the presence and quantity of enteric pathogens.
    • Examined jejunal mucosal biopsies for inflammatory reactions and bacterial populations.

    Main Results:

    • Enteric pathogens were not found in sufficient numbers to be the primary cause of diarrhea.
    • Children with malnutrition and diarrhea, unassociated with enteric pathogens, exhibited non-ulcerative jejunal inflammation.
    • An abnormally large population of unrecognized bacteria was identified in the jejunum of affected children.

    Conclusions:

    • The overgrowth of non-pathogenic bacteria in the jejunum may be responsible for diarrhea in malnourished children.
    • Short-term treatment should include antibiotics, fluids, and electrolytes.
    • Long-term management requires improving the nutritional standards of affected children.

    Keywords:
    CENTRAL AMERICACHILDDIARRHEA, INFANTILEDYSENTERY, BACILLARYESCHERICHIA COLI INFECTIONSINFANTNUTRITION DISORDERSSALMONELLA INFECTIONSVIRUS DISEASES

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