Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 2026

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
12:58

A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: May 25, 2017

Recent trends in the epidemiology and treatment of C. difficile infection in children

Julia Shaklee Sammons1, Philip Toltzis

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|December 18, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is rising in children, necessitating increased awareness among pediatric providers. While antibiotics remain primary treatment, new therapies are emerging for this common healthcare-associated diarrhea.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Clostridium difficile is a leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea in adults and an emerging pathogen in children.
  • Recent trends show a significant increase in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) incidence across pediatric settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide pediatric providers with an updated overview of the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children.
  • To summarize current and emerging therapeutic options for pediatric CDI.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing literature on CDI epidemiology and treatment in pediatric populations.
  • Analysis of trends in CDI incidence among children in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Main Results:

  • CDI incidence has more than doubled in adults and is increasing in children, with specific pediatric groups at higher risk.
  • Antibiotic therapies are standard for CDI, but novel treatments are under development.
  • Non-antibiotic therapies are less common in children but studied in adults for severe or recurrent cases.

Conclusions:

  • The increasing incidence of CDI in children requires greater recognition by pediatric healthcare providers.
  • Understanding high-risk pediatric populations and available therapies is crucial for managing this evolving disease.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R2029106:51

Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291

Published on: December 10, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics 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...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics 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...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents01:18

Drugs 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...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial 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...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...