Clinical course of Campylobacter infections in children

Abstract

BackgroundIn recent years, an increased number of children infected with bacteria of the Campylobacter type is observed. It is estimated that approximately in 1% of the population of Europe and of the United States Campylobacter infection occurs. Aim of studyThe aim of the study was a retrospective analysis of the clinical course of Campylobacter infection in children according to the age and associated infections. Materials and methodsThe retrospective analysis included 71 children (mean age 2 years) hospitalized in the Gastroenterology Unit between Jan 2008 and Dec 2010. In all children with the Campylobacter infection clinical symptoms, laboratory tests and associated infections were analyzed. ResultsCampylobacter infection was diagnosed in 71 children (42 boys), which represented 5.28% of the children among 1343 patients hospitalized because of vomiting or diarrhea. In 22 children the Campylobacter infection was accompanied by other gastrointestinal infections (enteropathogenic strains of E. coli, Rotavirus, Salmonella). Mean duration of hospitalization was 7.24 days. According to age, analyzing the clinical symptoms of campylobacteriosis statistically significant incidence of watery diarrhea in children over 1 year of age has been shown, and abdominal pain in children over 3 years of age has been demonstrated. Diarrhea with blood occurred most frequently in children under 1 year of age. ConclusionsDue to the observed increasing incidence of Campylobacter infections it seems to be reasonable to take feces inoculation in children with diarrhea to 3 years of age, especially in the presence of bloody feces.