Cryptosporidiosis in children seen at the children's clinic of Yekatit 12 Hospital, Addis Ababa.

ABSTRACT

PIP: During March 1992 to March 1993, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, health workers collected stool samples from 214 children under 5 years old with diarrhea who were attending the children's clinic of Yekatit 12 Hospital. The prepared thin smears were microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts at 40x and 100X magnifications. 12 (5.6%) children 1-43 months old (7 boys, 5 girls) had Cryptosporidium oocysts. Nine children had watery diarrhea. The other 3 had watery mucoid diarrhea. Nine children had vomiting. All 12 children had a temperature somewhat higher than 38 degrees Celsius. They were either partially or fully weaned. 15 children with no Cryptosporidium oocysts were exclusively breast fed. The last two statements suggest that, in children with diarrhea, there is an association between breast feeding and Cryptosporidium infection. 11 of the 15 patients with no oocysts were less than 6 months old.