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Published on: May 26, 2021
[Congenital chloride diarrhea]
Mónica Contreras1, Ana Rocca, Laura Benedetti
1Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital de Pediatría J.P. Garrahan. contreras118@hotmail.com
Insights
Congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD) is a rare genetic disorder affecting intestinal chloride transport, leading to severe watery diarrhea and growth failure from birth. Early diagnosis and chloride replacement therapy are crucial for preventing complications and ensuring normal child development.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD) is a rare hereditary disorder impacting intestinal chloride transport.
- It presents with prenatal onset, characterized by severe watery diarrhea and failure to thrive in infants.
Observation:
- The study details three pediatric cases of CCD, including perinatal issues like polyhydramnios and prematurity.
- Patients exhibited persistent watery stools, growth deficits, metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, and hypochloremia.
Findings:
- Diagnosis was confirmed by stool ionogram revealing elevated chloride levels significantly higher than sodium and potassium.
- Successful treatment involved administering sodium and potassium chloride supplements.
Implications:
- CCD must be considered in the differential diagnosis of congenital watery diarrhea.
- Timely diagnosis and appropriate chloride replacement are vital to prevent severe outcomes like neurological damage and mortality.
Abstract:
Congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD) is a rare hereditary disease, with a prenatal onset, secondary to a deficit in the intestinal chloride transport. In the present study, we describe the clinical characteristics of three patients with congenital watery diarrhea, two of them females, aged between 9 and 14 months at the first visit. All patients presented perinatal antecedents of polyhydramnios and prematurity, watery stools since birth and growth failure. Metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia and hypochloremia were found. Stool ionogram with elevated doses of chloride, exceeding both sodium and potassium, confirmed the diagnosis of CCD. Substitute treatment with sodium and potassium chloride was started with good results. CCD should be considered as a differential diagnosis to congenital watery diarrhea, since early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are mandatory for the normal development of the child, avoiding severe complications such as neurological sequelae and even death.
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