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Updated: Sep 30, 2025

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Published on: December 8, 2014
How to: Clostridioides difficile infection in children
Marcela Krutova1, Tim G J de Meij2, Fidelma Fitzpatrick3
1Department of Medical Microbiology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Clostridioides difficile (ESGCD), Basel, Switzerland; European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Study Group for Host and Microbiota Interaction (ESGHAMI).
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) management in children requires careful consideration of diagnostics and treatment. New data suggest fidaxomicin may be superior to vancomycin for sustained response in pediatric CDI cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Clinical Therapeutics
Background:
- Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) affect children, though traditionally associated with older adults.
- Pediatric CDI diagnosis and management may differ from adult protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on pediatric CDI.
- To provide guidance on CDI diagnostics and treatment in children.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of PubMed from January 2017 to July 2021.
Main Results:
- Pediatric CDI diagnostics should consider coinfections and differentiate colonization from infection (toxin detection is key).
- Fidaxomicin shows superiority over vancomycin for sustained clinical response in children.
- Metronidazole lacks supporting data for pediatric use; recurrent CDI may require adjusted treatments or fecal microbiota transplantation.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric CDI testing should account for colonization and coinfections.
- Current data support revising CDI treatment strategies in children.
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