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C. diff infections growing among hospitalized children

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 17, 2011

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Clostridium difficile infections are increasing among hospitalized children in the U.S., according to a study published online Jan. 3 in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

The study examined hospital records representative of about 10.5 million children who were discharged in 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2006. The patients were part of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database. In total, less than 1% of the children were diagnosed with C. diff.

Researchers found that the number of C. diff cases increased by an average of 15% each year. In 1997, there were 3,565 cases, compared with 7,779 in 2006. The study authors said physician awareness of the growing prevalence of C. diff in hospitalized children could help control the infection (link).

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/01/17/hlbf0117.htm.

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