Postenteritis Syndrome

The Postenteritis syndrome is a malabsorption syndrome in pediatrics that after a chronic gastroenteritis with recurrent diarrhea may develop.

Epidemiology

Chronic recurrent diarrhea can develop between the ages of 6 and 24 months immediately after acute gastroenteritis of bacterial or viral cause (e.g. rotaviruses ). The cause is a change in the intestinal flora with dehydration of bile acids , hydroxylation of fatty acids and toxin products as well as superficial mucosal lesions with a secondary disaccharidase deficiency .

Symptoms

Repeated diarrhea during the nutritional development phase, but the children thrive relatively well with no signs of malabsorption . There is no specific diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis

Other recurrent diarrhea, such as celiac disease , cystic fibrosis , cow's milk intolerance , food allergy or congenital disaccharidase deficiency must be excluded from the differential diagnosis .

Prevention

Breastfeeding is a good prevention against the disease.

therapy

In developing countries, the disease can lead to a vicious circle of malabsorption, malnutrition and failure to thrive. The diet should be built up with a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates but low in lactose. Cow milk protein , gluten and beverages containing fructose should be avoided for about 6–8 weeks.

forecast

Depending on the change in diet, the disease disappears after 3 weeks to 6 months.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} Burkhard Rodeck, Klaus-Peter Zimmer: Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition . Springer, 2008, ISBN 978-3-540-73968-5 , pp. 246ff.
2. ↑ Lucas Wessel, Reinhard Roos, Reinhold Kerbl: Checklist pediatrics . Georg Thieme Verlag, 2011, ISBN 978-3-13-151464-6 , p. 402ff.

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !