European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals

European Journal of Scientific Research
ISSN 1450-216X Vol.14 No.3 (2006), pp. 359-371
© EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2006
http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm
Aetiology and Epidemiology of Sever Infantile Diarrhoea in
Baghdad, Iraq
E. N. Al-Kaissi
Elham nafi Al-kaissi: Dept of Pharmaceutics
College of pharmacy, University of Petra
P.O.Box: 961343 Amman 1196 Jordan
E-mail: kaielham@hotmail.com
Tel. (9626)5715546 – 5715549; Fax: (9626)5715570
M. Makki
Mahdi Makki: Pediatric Hospital
Medical City Hospital Baghdad, Iraq
M. Al- Khoja
Maysoon Al-Khoja: Teaching Laboratories, Microbiology Lab
Medical City Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq
Abstract
The epidemiology and aetiology of acute diarrhoeal dehydration in a group of 200
infants less than two years of age in Baghdad / Iraq were studied. Infants at the age of 7 to
12 months were found to be at grater risk of acquiring diarrhoea. Stool specimens were
analyzed using, microscopy, routine bacteriological analysis including culture for
enteropathogens, enterotoxin bioassay, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
for rotavirus detection. Rotavirus was the most frequent enteric pathogen isolated (29.5%)
followed by Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) then Campylobacter. Rotavirus and
other enteric pathogens infections were more prevalent during summer. In about 47.5% of
the cases, antimicrobial agent was used prior to admission to hospital. A symptomatic
carriage of Salmonella, Campylobacter, EPEC, Giardia, Entameba were detected in less
than 5% of cases. Oral rehydration therapy proved to be simple, safe and effective for acute
diarrhoeal dehydration if prepared correctly
Key words: Aetiology, diarrhea, dehydration, Gastroenteritis, enteric pathogens, Rotavirus
Introduction
Diarrhoeal diseases are a major cause of morbidity in infants and young children in developed
countries and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in underdeveloped countries [1]. In a family
study of some 25,000 illnesses in the United States, infectious gastroenteritis was the second most
common disease and accounted for 16 percent of all illnesses [2]. The impact of diarrhoeal illnesses on
infants and young children in developing countries is staggering. An estimate of the number of
diarrhoeal episodes in children younger than 5 years of age in Asia, Africa, and Latin America for a 1year
period indicated that more than 450 million cases of diarrhea occurred and that 1 to 4 percent were