A Clinical Study Of 141 Children With Chronic Diarrhea

Objective To explore the clinical features, causes, treatment and prognosis of chronic diarrhea in children.Methods Clinical data of 141 cases with chronic diarrhea hospitalized in Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between December 2005 and December 2010 were reviewed retrospectively.Results There were 99 males and 42 females of the 141 cases, 80.1% of these cases were in infants and toddlers, and the largest proportion (30.5%) occurred in 6 to12 months old group. The duration when addimitted was between 2 months to 10 years, and 55.3% was 2 to 4 months. The common complications were malnutrition (42.6%), anemia (35.4%), dehydration (34.1%), electrolyte disturbance (14.9%), hypoalbuminemia (12.1%), and acid-base imbalance(8.5%), etc. The first 4 main factors included food allergy in 24 cases (46.2%),lactose intolerance in 26 cases (28.3%),intestinal infection in 40 cases (36.7%%) and immunodeficiency in 7 cases (16.7%). There were 109 cases diagnosed clearly, 55.1% (60/109) of these cases were multi-factors, infection with secondary lactose intolerance, allergy with secondary lactose intolerance, and immunodeficiency with infection were the most common factors . The first 4 main diagnosed causes of these cases were infection diarrhea (34.1%), allergic diarrhea (17.0%), lactose intolerance (7.1%) and inflammatory bowel diseases (6.4%). Unknown diagnosed cases occupied 22.7%. There were 38 cases (26.9%) cured, 74 cases (52.5%) improved, and 3 cases (2.1%) were dead.Conclusion In children,especially the infants and toddlers often suffer from CDD, and the largest proportion (30.5%) occurred in 6 to12 months old group. Complications of CDD are diversified, the first 4 main factors of these cases included food allergy, lactose intolerance intestinal infection and immunodeficiency. Most of the clearly diagnosed cases were multi-factors, the most common factors were infection with secondary lactose intolerance, allergy with secondary lactose intolerance, and immunodeficiency with infection.The first 4 main diagnosed causes of these cases were infection diarrhea (34.1%), allergic diarrhea (17.0%), lactose intolerance (7.1%) and inflammatory bowel diseases (6.4%). Combination of major cause treatment and other treatments for reduction of progression and compliacation can improve the cure rate.