ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine the pattern of chronic diarrhoea in children in Oman. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective study carried out over a 7 year period at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. SUBJECTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
Subject(s)
Diarrhea , Gastroenteritis/complications , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Diarrhea/etiology , Diarrhea/therapy , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Gastrointestinal Agents/therapeutic use , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Male , Nigeria/epidemiology , Nutritional Support/methods , Physical Therapy Modalities , Prospective Studies , Survival Rate/trends , Syndrome , Time FactorsABSTRACT
A retrospective study was undertaken of 33 children with visceral leishmaniasis admitted to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Oman between 1993 and 1999. The aim was to study the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis in children in Oman. All presented with fever, anaemia and splenomegaly. Hepatomegaly and lymphadenopathy were present in 88% and 39% of children, respectively. All had iron deficiency anaemia. Hypertriglyceridaemia is a new observation. Diagnosis in all cases was confirmed by histological demonstration of Leishmania amastigotes in bone marrrow (32 subjects) or splenic aspirate (one subject). All children were treated with sodium stibogluconate, 14 needed blood transfusion or blood products and all but two responded well. There were two deaths from associated complications (6% mortality).
Subject(s)
Leishmaniasis, Visceral/epidemiology , Age Distribution , Antimony Sodium Gluconate/therapeutic use , Antiprotozoal Agents/therapeutic use , Blood Transfusion , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/diagnosis , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/therapy , Male , Oman/epidemiology , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Sex Distribution , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
A 12-month-old child on total parenteral nutrition via a central venous access device developed an infected thrombus and endocarditis. The vegetation disappeared on conservative management. The device was left in place.
