Bacteraemia in severely malnourished children. 1992

I R Friedland
Department of Paediatrics, Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.

During a 2-year period, 792 severely malnourished children (kwashiorkor, marasmus and marasmic kwashiorkor) were hospitalized (14.8% of all admissions). Community-acquired bacteraemia was recorded in 7.7% and nosocomial bacteraemia in 2.2% of malnourished children. The relative risk for bacteraemia on admission was 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-1.9) and 2.0 for nosocomial bacteraemia (95% CI 1.4-3.0) in malnourished children as compared with well nourished children. Bacteraemia was 3.5 times more common in children with kwashiorkor than in marasmic children. Gram-negative enteric aerobes were isolated 2.6 times more frequently from malnourished than from well nourished children. The relative risk of death in malnourished children with bacteraemia was 2.5 times that of malnourished children without bacteraemia. Thirty-six per cent of deaths in children with kwashiorkor were related to bacteraemia. This study emphasizes the increased risk of bacteraemia in malnourished children, particularly those with kwashiorkor, and the impact on mortality.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D007732 Kwashiorkor A syndrome produced by severe protein deficiency, characterized by retarded growth, changes in skin and hair pigment, edema, and pathologic changes in the liver, including fatty infiltration, necrosis, and fibrosis. The word is a local name in Gold Coast, Africa, meaning "displaced child". Although first reported from Africa, kwashiorkor is now known throughout the world, but mainly in the tropics and subtropics. It is considered to be related to marasmus. (From Dorland, 27th ed) Kwashiorkors
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D011502 Protein-Energy Malnutrition The lack of sufficient energy or protein to meet the body's metabolic demands, as a result of either an inadequate dietary intake of protein, intake of poor quality dietary protein, increased demands due to disease, or increased nutrient losses. Marasmus,Protein-Calorie Malnutrition,Malnutrition, Protein-Calorie,Malnutrition, Protein-Energy,Malnutritions, Protein-Energy,Protein Calorie Malnutrition,Protein Energy Malnutrition
D002175 Candida A genus of yeast-like mitosporic Saccharomycetales fungi characterized by producing yeast cells, mycelia, pseudomycelia, and blastophores. It is commonly part of the normal flora of the skin, mouth, intestinal tract, and vagina, but can cause a variety of infections, including CANDIDIASIS; ONYCHOMYCOSIS; VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS; and CANDIDIASIS, ORAL (THRUSH). Candida guilliermondii var. nitratophila,Candida utilis,Cyberlindnera jadinii,Hansenula jadinii,Lindnera jadinii,Monilia,Pichia jadinii,Saccharomyces jadinii,Torula utilis,Torulopsis utilis,Monilias
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003428 Cross Infection Any infection which a patient contracts in a health-care institution. Hospital Infections,Nosocomial Infections,Health Care Associated Infection,Health Care Associated Infections,Healthcare Associated Infections,Infection, Cross,Infections, Hospital,Infections, Nosocomial,Cross Infections,Healthcare Associated Infection,Hospital Infection,Infection, Healthcare Associated,Infection, Hospital,Infection, Nosocomial,Infections, Cross,Infections, Healthcare Associated,Nosocomial Infection
D004352 Drug Resistance, Microbial The ability of microorganisms, especially bacteria, to resist or to become tolerant to chemotherapeutic agents, antimicrobial agents, or antibiotics. This resistance may be acquired through gene mutation or foreign DNA in transmissible plasmids (R FACTORS). Antibiotic Resistance,Antibiotic Resistance, Microbial,Antimicrobial Resistance, Drug,Antimicrobial Drug Resistance,Antimicrobial Drug Resistances,Antimicrobial Resistances, Drug,Drug Antimicrobial Resistance,Drug Antimicrobial Resistances,Drug Resistances, Microbial,Resistance, Antibiotic,Resistance, Drug Antimicrobial,Resistances, Drug Antimicrobial
D004755 Enterobacteriaceae A family of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that do not form endospores. Its organisms are distributed worldwide with some being saprophytes and others being plant and animal parasites. Many species are of considerable economic importance due to their pathogenic effects on agriculture and livestock. Coliform Bacilli,Enterobacteria,Ewingella,Leclercia,Paracolobactrum,Sodalis

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