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Pediatric Campylobacter Infections - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management

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Pediatric Campylobacter infection is a bacterial infection seen in children. Read below to know more about this condition.

Written by

Dr. Kriti Singh

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Bhaisara Baraturam Bhagrati

Published At October 11, 2022
Reviewed AtMay 11, 2023

Introduction

Campylobacter infections are groups of infections caused by bacteria. It is seen in children. This is a major cause of sickness and diarrhea among children. It usually affects infants and young adults. The infection is usually seen in the gastrointestinal tract resulting in diarrhea, fever, and cramps. This is a major cause of acute diarrhea worldwide, leading to systemic illness in children. More than two million people worldwide are infected, and children younger than one year are most commonly affected.

Causes

What Are the Causes of Pediatric Campylobacter Infections?

Campylobacter bacteria cause pediatric Campylobacter infections. This is gram-negative bacteria found in the intestines of wild and domestic animals. This bacterium is transmitted through contaminated food, meats, especially chicken, animal feces, water sources near where animals graze, and by use of unpasteurized milk. It can spread to a healthy child from infected fecal material. Household pets such as puppies, birds, and cats can transmit bacteria. Infection can also spread from contact. The incubation period of the disease is two to seven days.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pediatric Campylobacter Infections?

Infection caused by Campylobacter bacteria can result in diarrhea, stomach pain, and fever. Symptoms usually start after 1 to 7 days of bacterial ingestion. Mild to severe diarrhea is seen. Diarrhea is watery in consistency initially, and at a later stage, it is mixed with blood and mucous. In infants, diarrhea with blood is the only sign of infection present.

Severe diarrhea results in dehydration due to excessive water loss from the body, Infants are in dry diapers for more than 6 hours. The child feels thirsty and weak. There is a decline in urination frequency. Other signs seen in children are irritability, restlessness, sunken eyes, dry skin, and dry mouth. Abdominal is also reported, which is a moderate type of pain. Parents get confused with appendicitis.

What Are the Complications of Pediatric Campylobacter Infection?

Bacteria primarily affect the digestive system. Once bacteria enter the human body, it starts acting on the small and large intestines lining. In very young children, bacteria can affect other organs, also. In chronic illness or a weak immune system, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing bacteremia and septicemia.

In a few cases, complications are caused by the immune system. Antibodies are produced against Campylobacter, and it starts acting on the child's body, resulting in a reactive form of Arthritis. Erythema nodosum, a form of skin sore, is also seen. Guillain -Barre syndrome is associated with this disease. It is a nerve condition. This child develops weakness, usually from the legs moving upward to the body.

What Are Preventive Measures for Pediatric Campylobacter Infection?

To avoid Campylobacter infection, excessive water intake should be practiced. Water should be filtered and pure. The child should be given only pasteurized milk and juices. The hand should be properly cleaned before meals. Never allow children to drink water streaming from any sources near land where animals graze. Hands should be washed properly before cooking food. While cooking raw meats or eggs, they should be cooked properly at an optimum temperature so that bacteria should be killed in heat if it is present.

Parents should make sure that children eat the food when it is warm. Utensils should be cleaned with hot water and soap if there is any contact with raw meat. Toilets should always be cleaned properly with disinfectants. If any family member suffers from diarrhea, they should wash their hands frequently and often before touching the children. If a pet dog or cat is in the family, then proper care should be taken. A veterinary doctor should follow routine checkups.

How Is Pediatric Campylobacter Infection Diagnosed?

If the parents are suspicious of this disease in their child, they should immediately visit the pediatrician. The doctor takes the blood and stool sample. The blood and feces samples are tested in a laboratory. This helps the doctor to reach an exact diagnosis.

How Is Pediatric Campylobacter Infection Treated?

Most of the time, kids suffering from Campylobacter infection recover by themselves. In mild to moderate cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics. In very young children, when symptoms are severe, they require immediate care. The medicine prescribed by the doctor should be given to the child in a scheduled manner.

Parents should avoid giving non-prescribed medicine to a child in case of diarrhea. In case of dehydration, plenty of water should be given. Fluids should be administered as long as diarrhea is there, and the child should be watched for signs of dehydration. Always avoid soft drinks, as they make diarrhea worse. An oral rehydration solution should be given to the child to prevent dehydration. Babies who are breastfeeding get infected and should continue to be breastfed. Diarrhea usually stops within five days, and the child recovers if the infection is mild.

What Is the Prognosis of Pediatric Campylobacter Infection?

It is a self-limiting condition. If the child has a mild infection, they can recover in 1 to 2 days. However, weakness lasts for a week.

What Should Parents Do at Home?

If the child has bloody diarrhea, parents should immediately seek a pediatrician. The child with Campylobacter infection tends to get better on their own if it is mild. Until fluids go away, the child's water intake should be maintained. Rehydration fluid, made in the home or stores, should be given at proper intervals. Parents should ask the pediatrician about the proper amount of salt and sugar intake.

When Should Parents Contact the Doctor?

Parents can call the doctor in the following situations:

  1. Diarrhea streaked with blood.

  2. Vomiting.

  3. Signs of dehydration.

  4. Severe abdominal pain.

  5. High fever.

  6. Weakness or trouble in walking.

Proper rest is advised for the child. Most of the time, children make a quick recovery.

Conclusion

Due to the increasing incidence of infection, parents must take care of their children properly. There should be awareness among parents about the severity of this disease. To reduce the chance of infection, parents should take preventive measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

How Do Children Become Infected With Campylobacter?

Campylobacter is a bacterial infection affecting the stomach and the intestines. It is a form of food poisoning. The infection-causing bacteria enters the body through contaminated food or water and raw meat or unpasteurized milk consumption. Since children are exposed to these sources, they are likely to be more infected.

2.

What Are the Sources of Campylobacter Infection?

Majority of the Campylobacter illnesses occur from eating raw or undercooked poultry or consuming something that came in contact with raw contaminated items . Other foods, such as fish, meat, and fruit, contact with animals, drinking untreated water, and other foodstuffs can also spread Campylobacter.

3.

Is Campylobacter Infections Contagious?

Although in some individuals with Campylobacter infection, the bacteria is shed in their feces for weeks after recovery, most individuals recover fully within a week. In most cases, Campylobacter does not transfer from person to person. Poultry, raw dairy products, shellfish, contaminated water, fruit, and puppies have all been linked to outbreaks.

4.

Is Campylobacter Infection Worse Than Those Caused by Salmonella?

Both Campylobacter and Salmonella infections are spread through contaminated food and water and affect the gut. Studies have shown that Campylobacter outbreaks are substantially less common than Salmonella infections. Compared to Salmonella, the number of persons who require hospital care due to clinical signs is significantly smaller than Campylobacter.

5.

Do Campylobacter Infections Resolve by Themselves?

In most cases, the infection clears up on its own, negating the need for antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics may help with severe symptoms. However, the body loses water and other fluids during this infection and becomes dehydrated. Therefore, proper hydration is essential in these cases.

6.

Is Campylobacter Spread Through Air?

Campylobacter is not an airborne disease, and the disease-causing bacteria is not spread through the air. It is only transmitted through contaminated food and water.

7.

What Autoimmune Conditions Are Associated With Campylobacter Infections?

Campylobacter infections are associated with autoimmune (conditions when the body attacks its own cells) conditions such as arthritis (which affects the knee joint in particular), Reiter's syndrome (a form of arthritis that affects the spine), conjunctivitis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (inflammatory and paralyzing condition of peripheral nerves).

8.

Does Campylobacter Stay in the System For Long?

Although some individuals with a Campylobacter infection continue to shed bacteria in their stool for weeks after recovery, most individuals recover fully within a week. Rarely can they cause any long-term health issues. However, patients with chronic campylobacteriosis endure recurrent bouts of diarrhea and stools that are positive for Campylobacter as the persists in their systems bacteria.

9.

Is Campylobacter Infection a Recurring Condition?

Campylobacter infections tend to recur if an individual is continuously exposed to raw and untreated food and water. Care should be taken to reduce exposure to these sources to keep the infection from returning.

10.

Do Food and Water Contaminated by Campylobacter Smell Bad?

It is generally hard to distinguish the presence of bacteria in the food. They may smell and look normal (e.g., pasteurized milk). It is therefore important to properly cook the food before consumption. Also, care should be taken to avoid the intake of food or water from unknown sources.

11.

Can Campylobacter be Present on Surfaces?

Campylobacter can thrive on fabrics and hard surfaces for one to five hours. They can also be a source of cross-contamination as water splashing from cleaning meat contaminated with the bacteria can infect anyone who touches the surfaces that are exposed in this manner.

12.

Is Campylobacter Infection a Notifiable Condition?

Campylobacter infection is a "routine" condition that needs to be reported in writing within five days of a diagnosis by pathology services. Notifying patients with Campylobacter infections is not mandatory for healthcare professionals.
Dr. Bhaisara Baraturam Bhagrati
Dr. Bhaisara Baraturam Bhagrati

Pediatrics

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bacterial infectioncampylobacter infection
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