Evaluation of Bacteriological Profiles and Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns in Children Under Age 5 Years with Acute Gastroenteritis

Author: Arul B., Prathiba M., Vaishnav V., Vinitha M. and Kothai R.

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Abstract

Acute Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract’s mucous membranes that causes vomiting and/or diarrhoea. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the bacteriological profiles and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in children under the age of 5 years with acute gastroenteritis. This retrospective study was carried out for 6 months from November 2020 to April 2021 in which 150 patients were selected for the study by considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 150 children were analyzed in positive culture reports of acute gastroenteritis. Out of the total number of patients analyzed males (65.3%) children were more affected by acute gastroenteritis than females (34.7%). Patients in the age group of 25-36 months were mostly found to have gastroenteritis. Fever was the most common presenting symptom in our study along with diarrhoea (52%). The study shows that the prevalence of acute gastroenteritis was mostly present in patients with positive culture reports for E.coli (34%) organisms. Among 150 patients most of them were prescribed Metronidazole (25.3%) and third generation cephalosporin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic in the ranges of 1 to 2 antibiotics (69.3%). The European Society for pediatric infectious disease guidelines make stronger recommendations for the use of probiotics for the management of acute gastroenteritis based on the option of “Doing the Least”: oral rehydration therapy, early refeeding, and no unnecessary drugs.

Keywords

Acute gastroenteritis, Children, bacteriological profile, Antibiotics

Conclusion

Acute Gastroenteritis is the most common viral or bacterial infection affecting children. It is more common in males than in females. The most common organism that causes AGE is E. coli, Rotavirus/Norviruses followed by Campylobacter coli/jejuni, Shigella, salmonella spp, etc. The risk of AGE occurring before 5 years is around 6-8% in boys and 2-4% in girls. Diarrhoea is one of the most common symptoms of AGE. AGE should be suspected in any infant or child with diarrhoea without focus beyond three days. The clinical features depend upon the age and severity of AGE. Neonates show features of vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal pain. A retrospective study of 150 patients was done to evaluate bacteria-causing AGE and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in the tertiary care hospital and some padiatric departments of other hospitals in Salem. Pathogenic Escherichia coli is the most common cause of Acute Gastroenteritis in children. Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Campylobacter, and Clostridium difficile are the other organisms identified.

References

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How to cite this article

Arul B., Prathiba M., Vaishnav V., Vinitha M. and Kothai R. (2023). Evaluation of bacteriological profiles and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in children under age 5 years with acute gastroenteritis. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(6): 791-794.