Clinical manifestations and risk factors of campylobacter gastroenteritis in children in Taiwan
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Published on: March 10, 2020
Yen-Ting Guo1, Chao A Hsiung2, Fang-Tzy Wu3
1Department of Medical Education, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Campylobacteriosis in children under five in Taiwan presents with shorter vomiting, bloody stools, and lower AST levels. Risk factors include low parental education and contact with sick individuals, while water and milk intake are protective.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Campylobacteriosis is a significant global cause of bacterial gastroenteritis.
- Understanding risk factors and clinical presentations in young children is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate risk factors and clinical/laboratory manifestations of campylobacteriosis in children under five in Taiwan.
- Identify key epidemiological and clinical features associated with pediatric campylobacteriosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case-control study conducted in ten Taiwanese hospitals (2014-2017).
- Utilized laboratory tests, stool specimen analysis, and questionnaire surveys.
- Employed multivariate stepwise logistic regression to identify risk factors.
Main Results:
- Identified shorter vomiting duration, bloody/mucoid stools, and lower AST levels as campylobacteriosis indicators.
- Linked lower parental education, contact with gastroenteritis patients, and diarrhea in cared-for children to increased risk.
- Found municipal water, milk, and soft beverages to be protective; takeout food and seafood increased risk.
Conclusions:
- Clinical indicators like shorter vomiting, bloody stools, and lower AST levels suggest campylobacteriosis in children.
- Low parental education, close contact with infected individuals, and certain food consumptions (takeout, seafood) are significant risk factors.
- Municipal water, milk, and soft drinks demonstrate protective effects against pediatric campylobacteriosis.
Background:
Campylobacteriosis is a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the potential risk factors, clinical and laboratory manifestations of children with campylobacteriosis under five years old in Taiwan.
Methods:
This retrospective case-control study was conducted in ten major hospitals in Taiwan from 2014 to 2017. Laboratory tests and stool specimen were collected and analyzed together with questionnaire survey. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression model was used for identification of risk factors.
Results:
A total of 64 campylobacteriosis cases were included with a median age of 25 months. We observed a less prolonged vomiting (p = 0.047), more bloody (p < 0.001) and mucoid (p = 0.005) stools, and lower AST levels (p = 0.020) in patients with campylobacteriosis. Lower parental educational attainment (p < 0.001), direct contact with acute gastroenteritis patients (p < 0.001), as well as diarrhea in the mutually cared children (p = 0.007) were linked to campylobacteriosis. Consumption of municipal water (p < 0.001), milk (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.118-0.979), and soft beverages (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.192-0.888) were identified as protective factors, while consuming takeout food (p = 0.032) and seafood (p = 0.019) increased risk of campylobacteriosis.
Conclusions:
Shorter vomiting duration, bloody and mucoid stool, and less elevated AST levels are manifestations suggestive of campylobacteriosis. Risk factors of campylobacteriosis were low parental educational attainment, direct contact with acute gastroenteritis patients, diarrhea in mutually cared children, takeout food and seafood intake. Potential protective factors include municipal water, milk, and soft beverage intake.
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