Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
03:25
Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: December 27, 2024
Antibiotic associated diarrhea in children
1Pediatric Gastroenterology Section, Department of Pediatrics, JNMC, AMU, Aligarh, UP, India. seema_alam@hotmail.com
Indian Pediatrics
|June 27, 2009
Summary
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) affects about 11% of children, with probiotics preventing it in 1 in 7. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is uncommon in pediatric patients. Further cost-effectiveness studies are needed for combination therapies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The Indian market has seen a rise in antibiotic-probiotic combination products.
- This study investigates the prevalence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children.
- Evidence for probiotic use in preventing AAD in pediatric populations was reviewed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of AAD and CDI in children.
- To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in preventing AAD in pediatric patients.
- To inform decisions regarding the use of antibiotic-probiotic combinations.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane Library databases.
- The search focused on studies published within the last 25 years.
- Systematic review of available evidence was performed.
Main Results:
- Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) prevalence is approximately 11%, with younger children and specific antibiotic types as risk factors.
- Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) incidence is decreasing in some Indian hospitals but increasing in community-acquired pediatric cases.
- Probiotics demonstrate a preventative effect against AAD in children, reducing incidence by approximately one case for every 7-10 patients treated.
Conclusions:
- AAD is generally low in prevalence and often resolves upon antibiotic discontinuation.
- Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) remains uncommon in the pediatric population.
- Probiotics offer a modest preventative benefit for AAD in children (1 in 7), necessitating cost-effectiveness research for combination therapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
Acute diarrhea, a common gastrointestinal disturbance, is characterized by the rapid evacuation of fluid stools, leading to an excessive weight in fluid. This condition typically arises from disorders affecting intestinal water and electrolyte transport. It can be triggered by an increased osmotic load within the intestine, excessive secretion of electrolytes and water, mucosal exudation of protein and fluid, or altered intestinal motility. The primary risks of acute diarrhea are dehydration...
01:20Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents
Diarrhea is characterized by the occurrence of frequent, watery bowel movements. Various factors can trigger diarrhea, including viral or bacterial infections, foodborne illnesses, side effects from certain medications, and underlying digestive disorders. If not adequately managed, diarrhea can lead to complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nutrient deficiencies. Severe diarrhea can lead to significant weight loss, malnutrition, and weakened immune function.
Adsorbents...
Adsorbents...
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
01:26Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...