title: Aetiology, epidemiology and clinical characteristics of acute moderate-to-severe diarrhoea in children under 5 years of age hospitalized in a referral paediatric hospital in Rabat, Morocco.
abstract: The objective of the study was to describe the aetiology, epidemiology and clinical characteristics of the principal causes of acute infectious diarrhoea requiring hospitalization among children under 5 years of age in Rabat, Morocco. A prospective study was conducted from March 2011 to March 2012, designed to describe the main pathogens causing diarrhoea in hospitalized children >2 months and less than 5 years of age. Among the 122 children included in the study, enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and rotavirus were the main aetiological causes of diarrhoea detected. Twelve (9.8 %) children were referred to an intensive care unit, while two, presenting infection by EAEC, and EAEC plus Shigella sonnei, developed a haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Additionally, six (4.9 %) deaths occurred, with EAEC being isolated in four of these cases. Diarrhoeagenic E. coli and rotavirus play a significant role as the two main causes of severe diarrhoea, while other pathogens, such as norovirus and parasites, seem to have a minimal contribution. Surveillance and prevention programmes to facilitate early recognition and improved management of potentially life-threatening diarrhoea episodes are needed.
authors.affiliation: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benmessaoud
authors.affiliation: École Nationale de Santé Publique (ENSP), Ministère de la Santé, Rabat, Morocco.|ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Imane
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jroundi
authors.affiliation: Hôpital d'Enfants de Rabat (HER), Centre Hôspitalier Universitaire Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mouane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nezha
authors.affiliation: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Cinta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moraleda
authors.affiliation: Hôpital d'Enfants de Rabat (HER), Centre Hôspitalier Universitaire Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Houssain
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tligui
authors.affiliation: Hôpital d'Enfants de Rabat (HER), Centre Hôspitalier Universitaire Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seffar
authors.affiliation: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Miriam J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Martínez
authors.affiliation: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pons
authors.affiliation: Centre Hôspitalier Universitaire (CHU) Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco.|ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaacho
authors.affiliation: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.affiliation: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vila
authors.affiliation: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Pedro L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.affiliation: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Quique
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Bassat
authors.affiliation: ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology