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Prostaglandin-induced diarrhoea
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|October 1, 1977
Insights
A child with chronic diarrhea improved with prostaglandin inhibitors. Elevated prostaglandins were found, suggesting a possible inborn defect in prostaglandin metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic diarrhea in infants can have various underlying causes.
- Prostaglandins play a role in gastrointestinal function and inflammation.
Observation:
- A pediatric patient presented with chronic diarrhea from birth.
- The patient showed a positive response to prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, specifically aspirin and indomethacin.
- During a treatment cessation period, elevated levels of prostaglandins F2alpha and E2 were detected.
Findings:
- The child's chronic diarrhea was alleviated by prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors.
- The study identified elevated prostaglandin levels (F2alpha and E2) in the absence of treatment.
- No specific external source for the elevated prostaglandins was identified.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a potential inborn error of prostaglandin metabolism as the cause of chronic diarrhea.
- This case highlights the importance of considering metabolic disorders in unexplained pediatric chronic diarrhea.
- Further research into prostaglandin metabolism defects could lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
A child with chronic diarrhoea since birth responded to the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors aspirin and indomethacin. During a period without treatment, raised levels of prostaglandins F2alpha and E2 were observed. No source for these raised prostaglandins was shown, and it is suggested that she may have an inborn defect of prostaglandin metabolism.