Aetiology of Childhood Diarrhoea in children treated at the children's hospital ,Colombo

Abstract

Viral, Bacterial and Protozoan causes of childhood diarrhoea in Colombo, clinical features, seasonality and risk factors, and antibiotic sensitivity were studied in a 3 year prospective study. The commonest virus isolated was the Rotavirus and the Bacteria was shigellae among a host of other pathogens. Adenovirus was the commonest pathogen isolated among cases treated in the OPD Majority were between 3 months and 3 years and 50 percent were malnourished. Evidence showed infection was due to pollution and No seasmality was seen. Over use of Antibiotics was seen both at primary health care level and the hospital and increased the risk of persistant diorrhoea by four fold.