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Antibiotic associated diarrhea in children

Seema Alam1, Mudasir Mushtaq

  • 1Pediatric Gastroenterology Section, Department of Pediatrics, JNMC, AMU, Aligarh, UP, India. seema_alam@hotmail.com

Indian Pediatrics
|June 27, 2009
PubMed

Insights

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.
Abstract

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