[Clinico-epidemiological observations of 77 pediatric cases of infection with non-typhi salmonellae]

Non-typhoid salmonellosis remains a common infective illness. We studied 77 consecutively admitted children aged 1 month to 15 years in order to determine frequency of antecedents, the strain of the isolated organisms, clinical findings, frequency of complications and the adequacy of management. The presentation and severity of the illness were compared between younger than two and older children. Salmonella typhimurium was isolated in 65% of the cases. Two thirds of the tested strains were multiresistant to antibiotics. Non-typhoid salmonellosis usually occurred in the form of acute gastroenteritis: in only 4% of the cases it presented as pyrexia of unknown origin without gastrointestinal symptoms. 30% of the cases had been exposed to one or more antimicrobial agents within four weeks before the date of their stool culture. Only 30% had been breast fed. Previously diagnosed cow's milk protein intolerance resulted to be present in 14% of the less than two years old children (p < 0.02). Abdominal pain and headache were found more frequently in older children (p < 0.02). Protein C reactive values were significantly higher in this age group (p < 0.05). 25% of the children were mildly or moderately dehydrated. Hypernatremia was uncommon. 31% of the cases were treated with antibiotics: the antimicrobial treated children presented diarrhoea for longer period (p < 0.05) and they remained admitted for longer time (p < 0.00).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)