Pattern of chronic diarrhoea in children: a prospective analysis of causes, clinical features and outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the pattern of chronic diarrhoea in children in Oman.


METHODS
This is a prospective study carried out over a 7 year period at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.


METHODS
Sixty two children (37 M:25 F), aged 3 months to 13 years who presented with chronic diarrhoea, defined as diarrhoea persisting for more than 4 weeks, were studied.


RESULTS
Principal identifiable causes in the study population include post-gastroenteritis syndrome in 50% of cases, enteric infections and infestations in 27%, and coeliac disease in 13%. On presentation 63% were malnourished, 27% were anaemic while 39% were dehydrated. The median duration of hospital admission was 50 days. Majority of the patients responded to conservative therapy with correction of dehydration, and careful nutritional supplementation, in addition to specific therapy where necessary. Mortality was low (1.5%) resulting from immunodeficiency and gram-negative septicaemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic diarrhoea remains an important cause of morbidity especially malnutrition in children and early and adequate nutritional rehabilitation plays a pivotal role in the management.
Akinbami
F O
FO
Department of Child Health and Pathology, Sultan Qaboos University Teaching Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
Venugopalan
P
P
Elnour
I B
IB
Nirmala
V
V
Abiodun
P
P
Azubuike
J C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D018529:Nutritional Support / Q000379:methods; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D013577:Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents