title: Congenital chloride diarrhea: a review of twelve Arabian children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD), a rare autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by sustained watery diarrhea (due to defect of active Chloride/HCO3 exchange in the ileum and colon) with high fecal chloride.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To spotlight the common presentation of CCD for early management and prevention of complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective case series study of patients diagnosed as CCD who were followed up in the pediatric department of Al-Adan Hospital, Kuwait.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve patients diagnosed with CCD were born to consanguineous parents; had antenatal history of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR); polyhydramnios; and distended hypoechoic fetal bowel; and presented with abdominal distension, hypotonia and muscle wasting. 90% of patients had maternal hypertension and 75% of patients had absence of normal meconium at birth. Our patients showed a decrease in serum sodium, potassium, chloride and urine chloride.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high level of suspicion for an early diagnosis of CCD should be considered for any infant presenting with chronic diarrhea, especially in the presence of consanguineous marriage, and the characteristic features in antenatal ultrasound. Thus, allowing for early investigations and appropriate management.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Gastroenterology, Al-Adan Hospital, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Fawaz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Elrefae
authors.forename: Ahmed Farag
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Elhassanien
authors.forename: Hesham Abdel-Aziz
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Alghiaty
keywords: children; chronic diarrhea; congenital chloride diarrhea; metabolic alkalosis; prenatal diagnosis