ANALYZING THE FREQUENCY AND CAUSATION OF HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED DIARRHOEA IN THE CHILDRENS OF 1-15 YEARS OF AGE

Abstract

Background: HAD (hospital-acquired diarrhea) affects around 2-32% of children admitted to the hospital, resulting in 
a longer stay, greater costs, and increased mortality. Each HAD episode deprives youngsters of nutrients required for 
development through their loss. Pediatric patients are at a higher risk in hospitals because they are exposed to 
communicable disease carriers, healthcare staff, and contaminated surfaces, with a larger risk in low-income institutions 
due to inadequate infection control. 
Aim: The current clinical investigation was designed to determine the frequency and causation of hospital-acquired 
diarrhea in pediatric patients. 
Methods: The current study comprised 120 participants hospitalized to the hospital between the ages of 1 and 15 years, 
with a hospital stay lasting more than three days and admission for causes other than diarrhea. All research participants 
stool samples were collected and tested for the presence of fungal, parasite, bacterial, or viral agents. A latex 
agglutination test was performed to detect human rotavirus antigen, as well as an ELISA for Clostridium difficile.  
Results: In 108 subjects with hospital-acquired diarrhea, Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli was seen in the majority of 
subjects with 19.16% (n=23), followed by rotavirus in 14.16% (n=17), C. difficile in 11.66% (n=14), E. histolytica in 
10% (n=12), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 6.66% (n=8) subjects, Shigella flexneri in 5% (n=6) study subjects, C. 
Albicans, Giardia lambia, Cryptosporidium parvum, Stool samples from all research participants were collected and 
examined for the presence of fungal, parasitic, bacterial, and viral agents. A latex agglutination test was used to identify 
the human rotavirus antigen, as well as an ELISA for Clostridium difficile.  
Conclusion: Hospital-acquired diarrhoea is highly prevalent in the pediatric subjects and the infectious etiology was 
more common in these subjects compared to the non-infectious etiology. Most commonly associated was a bacterial 
infection. Hence, assessing stools on regular basis in children admitted to hospitals is vital for early detection of 
infections allowing early management.