Aetiology, epidemiology and clinical characteristics of acute moderate-to-severe diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age hospitalized in a referral paediatric hospital in Rabat, Morocco

• DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.079830-0
• Publication Date: 2014-11-29T03:19:05Z
• Authors: Rachid Benmessaoud; Imane Jroundi; Mouane Nezha; Cinta Moraleda; Houssain Tligui; Myriam Seffar; Miriam J. Alvarez...; Maria J. Pons; Saad Chaacho; Edward B. Hayes; Jordi Vila; Pedro L. Alonso; Quique Bassat; Joaquim Ruiz
• Keywords: Diarrhea; Male; 0301 basic medicine; Infants malalts; Infant; Sick children; Bacterial Infections; Hospitals, Pediatric; 3. Good health; Hospitalization; Tertiary Care Centers; Morocco; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Virus Diseases; Child, Preschool; Parasitic Diseases; Prevalence; Humans; Marroc; Female; Prospective Studies; Diarrea

The objective of the study was to describe the aetiology, epidemiology and clinical characteristics of the principal causes of acute infectious diarrhoea requiring hospitalization among children under 5 years of age in Rabat, Morocco. A prospective study was conducted from March 2011 to March 2012, designed to describe the main pathogens causing diarrhoea in hospitalized children >2 months and less than 5 years of age. Among the 122 children included in the study, enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and rotavirus were the main aetiological causes of diarrhoea detected. Twelve (9.8 %) children were referred to an intensive care unit, while two, presenting infection by EAEC, and EAEC plus Shigella sonnei, developed a haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Additionally, six (4.9 %) deaths occurred, with EAEC being isolated in four of these cases. Diarrhoeagenic E. coli and rotavirus play a significant role as the two main causes of severe diarrhoea, while other pathogens, such as norovirus and parasites, seem to have a minimal contribution. Surveillance and prevention programmes to facilitate early recognition and improved management of potentially life-threatening diarrhoea episodes are needed.