Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
12:58
A Protocol to Characterize the Morphological Changes of Clostridium difficile in Response to Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2017
Clostridium difficile infection in children: a comprehensive review
Chaitanya Pant1, Abhishek Deshpande, Muhammad A Altaf
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Current Medical Research and Opinion
|May 11, 2013
Summary
The incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children is rising, with more cases originating in the community. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better outcomes in pediatric CDI cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a significant concern in pediatric healthcare settings.
- The epidemiology and clinical presentation of CDI in children are evolving.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive literature review on Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) specifically within the pediatric population.
- To synthesize current knowledge on pediatric CDI incidence, transmission, and management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus) up to March 31st, 2013.
- Inclusion of articles focusing on pediatric Clostridium difficile infection, including community-acquired cases.
- Review of relevant cross-references to ensure comprehensive data capture.
Main Results:
- Evidence indicates a significant increase in the incidence of pediatric CDI.
- Community acquisition of CDI is increasingly common, often without prior antibiotic exposure.
- Disease severity has not changed, but associated medical conditions and age-specific testing considerations are important.
- Current mainstays of treatment include metronidazole and vancomycin, with fidaxomicin showing promise for recurrent infections.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric healthcare providers must be aware of the rising incidence of CDI in children.
- Prompt and appropriate diagnostic testing, alongside timely therapeutic interventions, are essential for improving pediatric CDI outcomes.
- Antimicrobial stewardship and infection control measures are critical for managing CDI in pediatric populations.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...