Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Cefoperazone-treated Mouse Model of Clinically-relevant Clostridium difficile Strain R20291
06:51

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

Published on: December 10, 2016

12.0K

Clostridium difficile in paediatric populations

Upton D Allen,

    Paediatrics & Child Health
    |March 15, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    Clostridium difficile infections are rising in hospitalized children. This clinical statement offers guidance on diagnosing, preventing, and treating pediatric Clostridium difficile infections, emphasizing antimicrobial stewardship.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
    • Microbiology
    • Clinical Practice Guidelines

    Background:

    • Rising incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in hospitalized children in the US.
    • Need for updated clinical guidance on CDI in pediatric populations.
    • Existing guidelines require revision to address current epidemiology and treatment.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To summarize current knowledge on Clostridium difficile's role in childhood diarrhea.
    • To provide evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CDI in children.
    • To highlight differences in risk factors and disease presentation between adult and pediatric CDI.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of relevant literature on pediatric Clostridium difficile infections.
    • Analysis of epidemiological trends and risk factors in children.
    • Synthesis of emerging therapies and treatment strategies for pediatric CDI.

    Main Results:

    • Clostridium difficile is a significant cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized children.
    • Distinct risk factors and clinical presentations exist in pediatric versus adult CDI.
    • Antimicrobial stewardship is crucial for CDI prevention in pediatric settings.

    Conclusions:

    • Updated clinical recommendations are essential for managing pediatric Clostridium difficile infections.
    • Further research is needed on the impact of specific C. difficile strains (e.g., NAP1) on pediatric disease severity.
    • Effective prevention and treatment strategies require a focus on antimicrobial stewardship and age-specific considerations.

    Keywords:
    CDIColitisDiarrheaImmunocompromiseMegacolonMetronidazoleNAP1Vancomycin

    More Related Videos

    Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment11:13

    Culturing and Maintaining Clostridium difficile in an Anaerobic Environment

    Published on: September 14, 2013

    39.2K
    Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection07:06

    Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

    Published on: December 8, 2014

    26.7K

    Related Concept Videos

    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...
    967
    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...
    408
    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...
    88
    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...
    90
    Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets01:17

    Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets

    Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk to others. Some transmission-based precautions include contact, enteric, and droplet.
    Contact Precautions:
    Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
    5.0K
    Diphtheria01:28

    Diphtheria

    Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...
    175