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High Frequency of Viral Etiology and Antibiotic Utilization Patterns in Pediatric Acute Diarrhea: A Cross-Sectional

Khai Quang Tran1, Phuong Minh Nguyen1, Uyen Thi Phuong Nguyen1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Faculty of Medicine, Can Tho, Vietnam.

Turkish Archives of Pediatrics
|September 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Viruses frequently cause acute diarrhea in hospitalized children, but antibiotics are often used without benefit. Antibiotic use did not improve hospitalization time, fever, or diarrhea duration in these pediatric cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Acute diarrheal disease remains a significant health concern in children worldwide.
  • Viral pathogens are a leading cause of acute diarrhea in pediatric populations.
  • Antibiotic overuse for viral infections contributes to antimicrobial resistance and unnecessary healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of viral acute diarrheal disease in hospitalized children aged 2 months to 5 years.
  • To describe clinical and laboratory features of viral acute diarrhea in children.
  • To evaluate antibiotic prescribing patterns for pediatric acute diarrhea and their impact.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted with 232 pediatric inpatients.
  • Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify viral pathogens.
  • Clinical data and antibiotic utilization were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Viruses were detected in 60.3% of acute diarrhea cases, with 36.6% being solely viral infections.
  • Vomiting was more common in viral-only infections, while mucoid-bloody stools and elevated C-reactive protein were associated with other causes.
  • Antibiotics were used in 52.9% of viral cases, showing no significant benefit in hospitalization duration, fever, or diarrhea resolution.

Conclusions:

  • Viral infections are the primary cause of acute diarrhea in this pediatric cohort.
  • Antibiotic use in children with viral diarrhea is common but lacks clinical efficacy.
  • Limiting unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions is crucial for effective pediatric diarrhea management and combating resistance.

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