Regresar

Infectious etiology of pediatric acute diarrhea, a public health concern

Abstract:

Acute diarrheal disease (ADD) is one of the diseases with the highest mortality amongst pediatric patients as it is characterized by a sudden onset of signs notably diarrhea, and flatulence. In many instances, it can include several episodes of nausea, emesis, fever, abdominal pain among other things, due to an infection of the gastrointestinal tract caused by pathogenic infectious agents. This disease is currently one of the biggest problems in public health in developing countries, due to its high impact on morbidity and mortality during infancy due to the lack of diagnostic tests for the infectious agent. Studies have reported that E. coli is one of the most frequent agents associated with this disease since it can be found in several contaminated foods, contributing to the infection of the susceptible host. This pathology at the moment is classified as self-limited; that is, in almost all cases, it will be exclusively necessary to carry out a pediatric medical history, where all the required sections are found, to perform an exhaustive physical examination later. That is why it is necessary to address its etiology, transmission mechanisms, the management and prevention of the pathogenic agent and mainly the pharmacological treatment of the pathology.