Trichuris Dysentery Syndrome: evidence that it may be underdiagnosed in Kelantan.
The prevalence rate of trichuriasis in children in certain areas of Kelantan is high. However the Trichuris Dysentery Syndrome (TDS), a condition in children characterized by chronic diarrhoea, stunting and anaemia is said to be rare. A recent change in policy at our institution to lower the threshold for undertaking colonoscopy in children with chronic diarrhoea resulted in the detection of 6 cases of TDS in less than a year. The median age was 7 years (range 3-13) and the median duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 2 years (range 1-8). The insidious nature of TDS and the low level of awareness of this condition even among health care workers may result in considerable underdiagnosis.
Noorizan
A M
AM
Department of Paediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, 16150 Kelantan.
Mahendra Raj
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology