Clinical Characteristics of Symptomatic Clostridium difficile Infection in Children: Conditions as Infection Risks and Whether Probiotics Is Effective.
10.5223/pghn.2014.17.4.232
- Author:
Jae Yoon NA
1
;
Jong Mo PARK
;
Kyung Suk LEE
;
Jung Oak KANG
;
Sung Hee OH
;
Yong Joo KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kyjoo@hanyang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Clostridium difficile;
Probiotics;
Child;
Diarrhea
- MeSH:
Child*;
Clostridium difficile*;
Diarrhea;
Gastrointestinal Diseases;
Humans;
Lactobacillus acidophilus;
Medical Records;
Metronidazole;
Probiotics*;
Risk Factors
- From:Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
2014;17(4):232-238
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study investigated the clinical presentations of symptomatic Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 43 children aged <20 years who showed either positive C. difficile culture or C. difficile toxin test results between June 2010 and April 2014. RESULTS: Of the 43 patients (mean age 6.7 years), 22 were boys. Sixteen patients (37.2%) showed both positive C. difficile culture and toxin test results. Seventeen out of 43 children (39.5%) had preexisting gastrointestinal diseases, and 26 children had other medical conditions that were risk factors for CDI. Twenty-eight children had a history of antibiotic treatment for >3 days, and the most frequently prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin-clavulanate (35.7%). Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with CDI despite taking probiotic supplements, most commonly Lactobacillus acidophilus (53.6%). The most common symptom was diarrhea (72.1%) at the time CDI was diagnosed. C. difficile was eradicated in 11 patients (25.6%) after treatment with oral metronidazole for 10-14 days, and in the two patients (4.6%) who required two courses of oral metronidazole. Sixteen patients (37.2%) showed clinical improvement without any treatment. CONCLUSION: This study showed the various clinical characteristics of CDI in children and that preexisting clinical conditions favored the development of CDI. In addition, CDI was found to occur in a number of patients even after probiotic prophylaxis given in conjunction with antibiotic therapy.
