Characteristics of Pediatric Patients with Diarrhea in Indonesia: A Laboratory-based Report

Authors

  • Lia Amanda Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Karin Nadia Utami Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Andria Amanda Pulungan Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Diar Riyanti Rudiatmoko Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Fatima Safira Alatas Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1299-7154

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58427/apghn.1.2.2022.8-15

Keywords:

diarrhea, stool analysis, pediatric patients

Abstract

BackgroundDiarrhea is still a common health problem in Indonesia, with high morbidity and mortality rate. The severity of diarrhea is associated with age, nutritional status, and cause of diarrhea. This study aims to describe the characteristics and laboratory findings, particularly stool analysis, in pediatric patients with diarrhea. 

MethodsA retrospective study was conducted using data from patients aged 0 to 18 with diarrhea who underwent stool analysis in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital between 2012 and 2016. 

ResultsThe average age of children with diarrhea was 45 months, with most patients (55,6%) being under two years old children. More than half of the patients were boys (58.8%). Two-thirds of the patients (67%) presented with watery stool diarrhea. The interpretation of stool analysis indicated that nearly half of the patients (48%) experienced diarrhea due to bacterial infection, followed by fat malabsorption (20.8%). Similar results were also seen in the stool analysis of children aged 0-24 months, with the prevalence of bacterial infection (35.2%) and fat malabsorption (30.2%) being the most commonly identified etiology of diarrhea. 

ConclusionIn Indonesia, children under two and male gender were more frequently reported to experience diarrhea. The primary manifestation of pediatric diarrhea was watery stools, while the most common etiology was bacterial infections.

Published

— Updated on 2022-08-25

How to Cite

1.
Characteristics of Pediatric Patients with Diarrhea in Indonesia: A Laboratory-based Report. Arch Pediatr Gastr Hepatol Nutr [Internet]. 2022 Aug. 25 [cited 2024 Dec. 3];1(2):8-15. Available from: https://apghn.com/index.php/journal/article/view/15