[Infectious diarrhoea in children under five years]. / Les gastroentérites aigues chez les enfants de moins de 5 ans.

AIM: to determine the prevalence of rotavirus in acute diarrhea among children under 5 years and to describe the epidemiology, clinical trials of rotavirus diarrhea and compare them with those of other gastroenteritis. METHODS: A Prospective study during 1 year (1 January 2007-31 December 2007) was conducted in the department of Pediatrics B of the Children's Hospital of Tunis. 117 children aged under than 5 years and admitted for acute community gastroenteritis were included in the study. A search of rotavirus in the stool, collected within 48 hours of admission, was performed by a rapid detection of viral antigens: proteins specific RV group A (VP6 protein of the capsid) using enzyme immunoassay technique: sandwich ELISA (IDEIA Rotavirus Dako). RESULTS: Rotavirus diarrhea accounted for 25% of acute gastroenteritis. The average age of rotavirus gastroenteritis was 11 months +/- 1.78. We have noted a male predominance with a sex ratio of 1.2. The seasonal distribution of rotavirus gastroenteritis showed three peaks of incidence (January, May and July). The respiratory signs were more frequently found in rotavirus gastroenteritis group. Rotavirus gastroenteritis had a higher severity score compared with other gastroenteritis (8.44 vs 6.75 P = 0.01). The duration of hospitalization was longer in rotavirus group with a difference close to significance p = 0.07. CONCLUSION: The seasonal distribution of rotavirus gastroenteritis has three peaks of incidence. The gastroenteritis Rotavirus affects very young infants and has more severe symptoms than other gastroenteritis and is significantly associated with respiratory signs.

Fanconi anemia complicated by neutropenic enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Neutropenic enterocolitis (NEC) also known as typhlitis is an acute, life-threatening inflammation of the small and large bowel often seen in patients with leukaemia undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy: occasionally this syndrome could present in other immunocompromised patients. AIM: To report an unusual case of Fanconi anemia complicated by neutropenic enterocolitis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 13-year-old boy affected by Fanconi anemia with severe neutropenia and who presented neutropenic enterocolitis. Abdominal ultrasonography showed thickening of cecum and ascending colon of 1.18cm. The outcome was favourable with medical management. CONCLUSION: Neutropenic enterocolitis in Fanconi anemia is a rare and a severe illness: however, the outcome is improved with early management.