Enteric pathogens implicated in acute infectious diarrhea among young children in resource-limited region with rapidly growing population: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background Acute infectious diarrhea is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries and among children younger than 5 years of age. Purpose To determine the causative microorganisms in diarrhea and elucidate their epidemiological trajectory amo...

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Main Authors: Aseel Mahmood Ibrahim Al-Mashahedah, Randa Mohammed Dhahi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Korean Pediatric Society 2025-05-01
Series:Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://e-cep.org/upload/pdf/cep-2024-01333.pdf
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author Aseel Mahmood Ibrahim Al-Mashahedah
Randa Mohammed Dhahi
author_facet Aseel Mahmood Ibrahim Al-Mashahedah
Randa Mohammed Dhahi
author_sort Aseel Mahmood Ibrahim Al-Mashahedah
collection DOAJ
description Background Acute infectious diarrhea is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries and among children younger than 5 years of age. Purpose To determine the causative microorganisms in diarrhea and elucidate their epidemiological trajectory among children younger than 5 years of age to establish successful preventive measures. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Musayyib District, Babil Governorate, Iraq, using data from January 2023 to January 2024 provided by the information system of Ibn Saif Children’s Hospital and Al-Musayyib General Hospital. Data from 300 children under 5 years of age with infectious diarrhea were collected to determine the causative pathogens. Patient data including sex, age, treatment, and posttreatment clinical condition, were collected from the hospital archive and analyzed. Results Overall, 56% of males and 44% of females had diarrhea. The 1–2-year age group was the most susceptible to diarrhea (33.3%). This rate gradually decreased with age, reaching 9.9% in the 4–5-year age group. Furthermore, bacteria were the causative organisms in 43% of cases, followed by viruses, parasites, and fungi at 24.7%, 12%, and 7.7%, respectively. Mixed infections were detected in 12.6%. Posttreatment, 89.7% of patients completely recovered, 8% experienced physiological disorders, and 2.3% died. Conclusion Bacteria were the most common causative organisms of infectious diarrhea among children younger than 5 years of age. Children in the 1–2-year age group were the most commonly affected. This study highlights that diarrhea continues to threaten the lives and well-being of children.
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spelling doaj-art-7f5bf2b902c747b5b287ee036a98a6302025-08-20T03:48:57ZengThe Korean Pediatric SocietyClinical and Experimental Pediatrics2713-41482025-05-0168537938710.3345/cep.2024.0133320125555773Enteric pathogens implicated in acute infectious diarrhea among young children in resource-limited region with rapidly growing population: a hospital-based cross-sectional studyAseel Mahmood Ibrahim Al-Mashahedah0Randa Mohammed Dhahi1 Department of Biology, College of Education, Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, Iraq Department of Biology, College of Education, Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, IraqBackground Acute infectious diarrhea is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries and among children younger than 5 years of age. Purpose To determine the causative microorganisms in diarrhea and elucidate their epidemiological trajectory among children younger than 5 years of age to establish successful preventive measures. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Musayyib District, Babil Governorate, Iraq, using data from January 2023 to January 2024 provided by the information system of Ibn Saif Children’s Hospital and Al-Musayyib General Hospital. Data from 300 children under 5 years of age with infectious diarrhea were collected to determine the causative pathogens. Patient data including sex, age, treatment, and posttreatment clinical condition, were collected from the hospital archive and analyzed. Results Overall, 56% of males and 44% of females had diarrhea. The 1–2-year age group was the most susceptible to diarrhea (33.3%). This rate gradually decreased with age, reaching 9.9% in the 4–5-year age group. Furthermore, bacteria were the causative organisms in 43% of cases, followed by viruses, parasites, and fungi at 24.7%, 12%, and 7.7%, respectively. Mixed infections were detected in 12.6%. Posttreatment, 89.7% of patients completely recovered, 8% experienced physiological disorders, and 2.3% died. Conclusion Bacteria were the most common causative organisms of infectious diarrhea among children younger than 5 years of age. Children in the 1–2-year age group were the most commonly affected. This study highlights that diarrhea continues to threaten the lives and well-being of children.http://e-cep.org/upload/pdf/cep-2024-01333.pdfacute infectious diarrheaenteric pathogensyoung childrenantibioticsworld health organization
spellingShingle Aseel Mahmood Ibrahim Al-Mashahedah
Randa Mohammed Dhahi
Enteric pathogens implicated in acute infectious diarrhea among young children in resource-limited region with rapidly growing population: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
acute infectious diarrhea
enteric pathogens
young children
antibiotics
world health organization
title Enteric pathogens implicated in acute infectious diarrhea among young children in resource-limited region with rapidly growing population: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
title_full Enteric pathogens implicated in acute infectious diarrhea among young children in resource-limited region with rapidly growing population: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Enteric pathogens implicated in acute infectious diarrhea among young children in resource-limited region with rapidly growing population: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Enteric pathogens implicated in acute infectious diarrhea among young children in resource-limited region with rapidly growing population: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
title_short Enteric pathogens implicated in acute infectious diarrhea among young children in resource-limited region with rapidly growing population: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
title_sort enteric pathogens implicated in acute infectious diarrhea among young children in resource limited region with rapidly growing population a hospital based cross sectional study
topic acute infectious diarrhea
enteric pathogens
young children
antibiotics
world health organization
url http://e-cep.org/upload/pdf/cep-2024-01333.pdf
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