Archives of Disease in Childhood
Volume 57, Issue 3, 1982, Pages 208-211

Traveller's diarrhoea with a vengeance in children of UK immigrants visiting their parental homeland (Article) (Open Access)

Hutchins P. , Hindocha P. , Phillips A. , Walker Smith J.
  • a Queen Elizabeth Hosp. Child., London E2 8PS, United Kingdom
  • b Queen Elizabeth Hosp. Child., London E2 8PS, United Kingdom
  • c Queen Elizabeth Hosp. Child., London E2 8PS, United Kingdom
  • d Queen Elizabeth Hosp. Child., London E2 8PS, United Kingdom

Abstract

Six healthy children, born in the UK, travelled to their parental homeland and developed a severe form of travellers diarrhoea. This was characterised by rapid loss of weight and chronic diarrhoea. On return to this country, investigation in 5 of them showed an abnormal, small intestinal mucosa. There was a high incidence of pathogens and potential pathogens found in stools and duodenal juice. Immunodeficiency was found in 2 of them. Small intestinal mucosal damage related to gut infection in previously well children appears to be of cardinal importance in the interaction between chronic diarrhoea and malnutrition. This observation may point the way to future research into the primary role of gut infection in initiation of the cycle of malnutrition and chronic diarrhoea in developing communities.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

case report chronic diarrhea intestine mucosa geographic distribution malnutrition immune deficiency gastrointestinal infection traveller diarrhea diagnosis digestive system histology immigration etiology microorganism body weight
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0020039097&doi=10.1136%2fadc.57.3.208&partnerID=40&md5=9763141ecc53302348f64e47569df99e
DOI: 10.1136/adc.57.3.208
ISSN: 00039888
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English