A Perspective Study on the Etiology of Diarrhea in Children Less than 12 Years of age attending Kanti Children’s Hospital

Authors

  • M Pokharel Kathmandu College of Science and Technology, Kalimati
  • JB Sherchand Department of Microbiology and Chief of Health Research Laboratory
  • HC Upreti Department of Pathology, Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj
  • A Katuwal Department of Microbiology, Kathmandu College of Science and Technology, Kalimati
  • P Gauchan Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, Health Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Maharajgunj

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v29i1.1594

Keywords:

Bacteria, Children Diarrhea, Parasites, Rotavirus

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.

Key words: Bacteria, Children Diarrhea, Parasites, Rotavirus

doi:10.3126/jnps.v29i1.1594

J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol.29(1) p.10-16

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
982
PDF
1207

Downloads

How to Cite

Pokharel, M., Sherchand, J., Upreti, H., Katuwal, A., & Gauchan, P. (2009). 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, 29(1), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v29i1.1594

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 1 (2009)

Section

Original Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).