Clostridium difficile infection in pediatric patients (Review)

Dop,Dalia; Marcu,Iulia Rahela; Padureanu,Vlad; Caragea,Daniel Cosmin; Padureanu,Rodica; Niculescu,Stefan-Adrian; Niculescu,Carmen Elena

doi:10.3892/br.2023.1706

Clostridium difficile infection in pediatric patients (Review)

Authors:
- Dalia Dop
- Iulia Rahela Marcu
- Vlad Padureanu
- Daniel Cosmin Caragea
- Rodica Padureanu
- Stefan-Adrian Niculescu
- Carmen Elena Niculescu
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Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Department of Nephrology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania, Department of Orthopedics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Published online on: December 8, 2023 https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2023.1706
Article Number: 18
Copyright: © Dop et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) is the most common cause of healthcare‑associated diarrhea and among adults, the worldwide incidence rate of the infection is increasing. There is a small amount of data in the literature for pediatric patients, but most indicate an increasing trend. C. difficile is a constituent of the normal microbiota; however, under specific conditions that cause a disruption of the normal bacterial flora, colonization of C. difficile and the released toxins that cause inflammation and mucosal damage occurs. Risk factors for CDI at any age include hospitalization, exposure to antibiotics, administration of proton pump inhibitors, invasive mechanical ventilation, immunosuppression and presence of associated comorbidities. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic colonization to fulminant disease characterized by toxic megacolon, intestinal perforation and, rarely, death. The aim of the present review was to outline the features of CDI in pediatric patients.

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