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[Risk factors for persistent diarrhea in infants]
Maria das Graças Moura Lins1, Maria Eugênia Farias Almeida Motta, Giselia Alves Pontes da Silva
1Departamento Materno-Infantil, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. gracame@hotlink.com.br
Arquivos De Gastroenterologia
|July 21, 2004
Summary
Infants with persistent diarrhea faced higher risks from dysentery, fever, fasting, and prior antibiotic use. Poor household conditions like lack of refrigeration also significantly increased persistent diarrhea risk in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Persistent diarrhea is a significant cause of morbidity in infants.
- Identifying risk factors is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.
- This study investigates factors contributing to persistent diarrhea in hospitalized infants.
Purpose:
- To identify key risk factors associated with persistent diarrhea in children under 24 months hospitalized with acute diarrhea.
- To compare socio-economic, biological, and clinical variables between infants with persistent and acute diarrhea.
Summary:
- A case-control study involving 212 infants found that dysentery, fever at onset, fasting, and pre-hospital antibiotic use increased persistent diarrhea risk.
- Highest adjusted odds ratios were observed for infants from households without refrigerators and those with perianal hyperemia upon admission.
- Logistic regression analysis controlled for confounding factors to determine independent risk indicators.
Impact:
- Findings highlight the importance of environmental conditions (e.g., refrigeration) and clinical management in reducing persistent diarrhea.
- Improved sanitation and appropriate therapeutic interventions for diarrhea in hospitalized infants can decrease overall morbidity.
- This research provides actionable insights for healthcare providers and public health initiatives aimed at combating infant diarrhea.