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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
07:41
Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: April 17, 2019
[Rectal prolapse in a 3-year-8-month-old child]
C Frollo de Kerlivio1, S Willot, M-C Machet
1Clinique médicale pédiatrique, hôpital mère-enfant, 7, quai Moncousu, 44093 Nantes cedex 1, France.
Summary
Rectal prolapse in children can be linked to pseudomembranous colitis. Prompt antibiotic treatment for this condition can resolve rectal prolapse without recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Colorectal Surgery
Background:
- Rectal prolapse presents diverse etiologies and treatment strategies.
- A recent pediatric case highlights potential links between rectal prolapse and infectious colitis.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old boy experienced recurrent rectal prolapse with bloody, phlegmy diarrhea.
- Diagnostic investigations revealed pseudomembranous colitis, confirmed via biopsy, despite negative stool analysis.
Findings:
- Pseudomembranous colitis, often associated with Clostridium difficile toxins, is a severe form of postantibiotic diarrhea.
- Standard treatment involves a 10-day course of oral antibiotics (metronidazole or vancomycin).
- The reported case of rectal prolapse resolved without recurrence following antibiotic therapy for pseudomembranous colitis.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential causative relationship between pseudomembranous colitis and rectal prolapse in children.
- Effective management of pseudomembranous colitis may lead to resolution of associated rectal prolapse.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of infectious colitis are crucial for pediatric patients presenting with rectal prolapse.
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