Male sex, ibuprofen use tied to antibiotic-associated diarrhoea among hospitalized children

A recent study has observed a low incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) among hospitalized children with no comorbid disease. In addition, most episodes of diarrhoea are mild and self-limiting, occurring usually among male patients, those aged <3 years, and those treated with ibuprofen.

A team of researchers assessed the incidence, clinical findings, and risk factors of AAD in hospitalized children without known comorbidities. All children fulfilling the eligibility criteria during the 1-year period were included in the analysis.

AAD was defined as two or more loose or watery stools per day for a minimum of 24 hours during antibiotic treatment caused by Clostridioides difficile or negative stool tests for identifiable infectious agents.

In total, 358 patients met the inclusion criteria, of whom 32 (8.93 percent) developed diarrhoea during their hospitalization, while one tested positive for C difficile toxin B. Additionally, 21 patients did not present with any infectious agents.

AAD occurred in 22 children (6.14 percent, 95 percent confidence interval, 4.09‒9.13). Development of AAD was significantly associated with the following factors: male sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.36; p=0.027), age between 1 month and <3 years (OR, 4.23; p=0.01), use of ibuprofen (OR, 2.63; p=0.044), and late administration of antibiotics (OR, 9.5; p=0.001).

“The incidence of AAD is low among hospitalized children without comorbid diseases, and most diarrhoeal episodes are mild and self-limiting,” the researchers said. “The use of probiotics in this patient group may be limited to certain specific situations.”