All issues > Volume 29(11); 1986

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1986;29(11):1187-1195. Published online November 30, 1986.

Clinical Studies on Enteropathogenic E.Coli Enteritis in a Newborn Nursery.

Chang Hyun Yang¹, Ran Nam Gung¹, Chul Lee¹, Dong Gwan Han¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine

Abstract

We experienced 20 cases of infantile diarrhea caused by Enteropathogenic E. Coli during 2 months from May. 1985 to Jun. 1985 at Yonsei medical center, Newborn nursery. The onset of illness is ususally slow vague signs of reluctance to feed lethargy, spitting up of formula, mild abdominal distention and diarrhea. The outbreak abated abruptly after institution of strict aseptic technique, temporary reorganization of the nurseries, and administration of neomycin sulfate to all infants for the newborn nursery. The following results were obtained: 1) Among 20 cases, the normal spontaneous vaginal delivery was 8 cases and cessarian section delivery were 12 cases. 2) Age at onset ranged from 3 days to 10 days after birth. The most frequently affected age was from 4 days to 6 days after birth(75%). 3) Three Enteropathogenic E. Coli strains (086, 0128 and 0119) were isolated from stool culture. The most common serogroup was TypeB 086(85%). 4) The most common symptoms were diarrhea(100%),"fever(25%), dehydration(20%) and poor feeding (20%). 5) About the character of the diarrheal stool, the most common stool character was loose stool (70%)，but streaks of blood were rarely present in EPEC diarrheal disease. 6) The frequency of diarrhea ranged from 2 times to 7 times per day. The peak frequency was between 5 times and 6 times (40%). 7)The duration of diarrhea ranged from 1 day to 7 days. Disease was mild and clinically inapparent infection was frequently found. 8) Antibiotic susceptibility showed 100% sensitive to amikacin, 95% sensitive to gentamicin and tobramycin, but 100% resistant to ampicillin. 9) Although through culture studies on the hospital environment and nursery personnel was performed, the origin of EPEC outbreak in our nursery was not found.

Keywords :Enteropathogenic E. Coli; Newborn nursery; Diarrhea.