Pseudomembranous Colitis in a Child of Chronic Diarrhea

만성 설사 환아에서의 위막성 대장염 1례

Chronic diarrhea in children is a common problem with numerous causes. Although most of these causes are benign, critical illness may present as chronic diarrhea. In a patient of chronic diarrhea, gastrointestinal infections are the most common causes in children of all ages and antibiotics may cause chronic diarrhea by altering intestinal microflora, which can result in the emergence of bacterial overgrowth. Overgrowth of Clostridium difficile may cause pseudomembranous colitis. We experienced 25-month-old boy who suffered from chronic diarrhea and partially treated with antibiotics irregularly. Colonoscopic findings of this child showed multiple plaques with white to yellowish exudate which adhere to the mucosal surface of a variable length of rectum. Histollogically, each plaque comprised a pseudomembrane of mucous debris, inflammatory cells, and exudate overlying groups of partially disrupted glands. A latex agglutination test on patient's stool was positive to toxin A of Clostridium difficile. He was recovered after stopping the antibiotics he has been prescribed, and being given vancomycin for 2 weeks. We report this case with brief review of literature.

저자들은 만성 설사 및 점액성 혈변을 주소로 내원한 25개월 남아에서 대장 내시경 및 조직생검, latex 응집 반응검사로 위막성 대장염 1례를 진단, 치료하였기에 보고하는 바이다.