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Transient monosaccharide intolerance in infants with acute and protracted diarrhoea
Insights
Temporary monosaccharide intolerance in infants is often linked to acute gastroenteritis, resolving quickly with dietary changes. However, prolonged cases require more intensive management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Temporary monosaccharide intolerance is a recognized clinical condition in infants.
- Acute gastroenteritis is a common cause of infant hospital admissions.
- Protracted diarrhea can also lead to significant feeding difficulties in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of infants with temporary monosaccharide intolerance.
- To differentiate between monosaccharide intolerance secondary to acute gastroenteritis versus protracted diarrhea.
- To evaluate the duration and management strategies for different types of monosaccharide intolerance.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective clinical study of 38 infants admitted between November 1976 and August 1978.
- Categorization into two groups: acute gastroenteritis-induced intolerance and protracted diarrhea-associated intolerance.
- Analysis of clinical presentation, causative agents, duration, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- 31 infants (Group 1) developed intolerance post-acute gastroenteritis (4% of gastroenteritis admissions).
- Rotavirus was the causative agent in 64% of gastroenteritis-related cases; intolerance resolved in a mean of 2.5 days with dietary management.
- Seven infants (Group 2) developed intolerance during protracted diarrhea, lasting a mean of 21 days (up to 70 days), requiring bowel rest and complex diets.
Conclusions:
- Monosaccharide intolerance following acute gastroenteritis in infants is typically transient and manageable with diet.
- Intolerance associated with protracted diarrhea presents a more severe and prolonged clinical course, necessitating intensive management.
- Early identification and appropriate dietary strategies are crucial for managing infant monosaccharide intolerance.
Abstract:
A retrospective clinical study was done of 38 infants with temporary monosaccharide intolerance who were admitted to hospital between November 1976 and August 1978. There were two clinical groups. Group 1 consisted of 31 infants who developed monosaccharide intolerance as a sequela to acute gastroenteritis (i.e., 4% of infants admitted with acute gastroenteritis). Rotavirus was the cause of gastroenteritis in 64% of cases of monosaccharide intolerance. Monosaccharide intolerance was easily managed by dietary manipulations and lasted a mean of 2.5 days. Group 2 consisted of seven infants who developed monosaccharide intolerance during the course of protracted diarrhoea. The monosaccharide intolerance lasted up to 70 days, with a mean of 21 days, and required a period of total bowel rest followed often by complicated dietary manipulation.