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Acute gastroenteritis: clinical features according to etiologic agents.
F A Khuffash1, S K Sethi, A A Shaltout
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University.
Clinical Pediatrics
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Salmonella infections cause prolonged diarrhea and severe complications in children, unlike rotavirus gastroenteritis. Prompt management, especially for malnourished children, is crucial to reduce mortality and morbidity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gastroenteritis is a common childhood illness with varied etiologies.
- Understanding clinical differences between pathogens is vital for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical manifestations of gastroenteritis in hospitalized children based on causative agents.
- To identify risk factors and severity associated with specific pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 595 children hospitalized with gastroenteritis.
- Categorization into etiological groups: rotavirus, Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, and mixed infections.
- Comparison of clinical outcomes including diarrhea duration, associated manifestations, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalances.
Main Results:
- Salmonella infections resulted in the longest diarrhea duration (12.3-12.9 days) and highest frequency of associated manifestations, malnutrition, hyponatremia, and septicemia.
- Rotavirus and "no pathogen" groups had the shortest diarrhea duration (4.8-5.6 days).
- All four deaths occurred in Salmonella groups, highlighting its severity.
Conclusions:
- Salmonella gastroenteritis poses a significant clinical challenge, particularly in young, malnourished children in developing countries.
- Intensified management strategies and judicious antibiotic use are recommended to decrease mortality and morbidity.
- Rotavirus and E. coli infections were associated with milder clinical courses.