A Perspective Study on the Etiology of Diarrhea in Children Less than 12 Years of age attending Kanti Children’s Hospital.
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Date
2009-01
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Abstract
Introduction: Diarrhea is the most common illness among children causing highest number of mortality
and morbidity in the developing countries. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the
etiological agents of diarrhea in children less than 12 years of age. Methods: The study was carried
out in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Health Research Laboratory and stool specimen were
collected from Kanti Children’s Hospital between February 2007 and August 2007. The specimens were
processed by standard microbiological methods, serological diagnosis for the complete identification
of bacterial isolate and use of Rotaclone for diagnosis for Rotavirus. Results: A total 500 specimen
were processed and 312 (62.4%) cases were identified with enteropathogens. Out of 500, 165 (33%)
showed significant bacterial growth, 110 (22%) single or multiple parasitic infestation, and 167 (21.4%)
Rotavirus. Among the bacterial isolate, Escherichia. coli (20.2%) were highest in number, Entamoeba.
histolytica (10%), among the protozoa and Ascaris lumbricoide (1.4%) among the helminth. Age group
0-2 years showed most number of cases. The prevalence of Rotavirus infection was more in Inpatient
(65.4%) than Outpatient (34.6%) (P>0.05). Ethnicgroup wise distribution showed that Gurung/Magar/
Rai/Tamang were highly infected (34.6%) (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that bacteria
were the major etiological agents of diarrhea in children than parasites and Rotavirus. E. coli among
the bacteria, E. histolytica among the parasite and Rotavirus constituted the major causative agents
identified. The age group 0-2years was the most vulnerable group where most of the enteropathogens
were detected.
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Keywords
Bacteria, Children Diarrhea, Parasites, Rotavirus
Citation
Pokharel M, Sherchand J B, Upreti H C, Katuwal A, Gauchan P. A Perspective Study on the Etiology of Diarrhea in Children Less than 12 Years of age attending Kanti Children’s Hospital. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society. 2009 Jan-Jun; 29(1): 10-16.