[Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in infants & children].
To understand the prevalence of Chlamydial infection in children in the central area of Taiwan, 220 cases were surveyed in the hospital nursery and pediatric ward from September 1985 to June 1986. In these 10 months, using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method, the patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 98 newborn cases, in the nursery, whose conjunctival secretions were collected within two hours after birth. All cases were then treated with erythromycin ophthalmic ointment. Group B included 122 cases, from the pediatric ward, who suffered from symptoms of respiratory tract disease; aspirated secretions from the trachea-were studied. The antigen positive rate in Group A was 12.2% (12 cases), male to female ratio was 1:5. However, in Group B the antigen positive ratio was 26.2% (32 cases), with male to female ratio of approximating 5:3. Children under two years old had the highest incidence of infection, around 77.2% (34 cases). In conclusion, the younger is the case, the higher the positive rate is. However, most of them probably are carriers. Newborns weighed more than 3 Kg and infants older than one month were not treated by erythromycin, but with supportive methods, the clinical symptoms and signs still improved gradually. However in newborn with symptoms of respiratory problem antibiotic treatment is usually indicated, and at present erythromycin is very effective.
Jhon
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Chang
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D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology; D003235:Conjunctivitis, Inclusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial