CAMPYLOBACTER GASTROENTERITIS IN CHILDREN IN RIYADH, SAUDI-ARABIA

Campylobacter jejuni/coli (CJC) was isolated from the stools of 82 (1 per cent) of 7369 children with gastrointestinal symptoms during a 2-year period. Among 1130 control children, CJ was isolated from the stool of one (0.09 per cent). The peak incidence of CJC associated gastroenteritis was in the winter. Seventy-six per cent of the patients were 4 years of age and younger with the highest incidence (56 per cent) in children 2 years old and younger. The most common presenting symptoms and signs were diarrhoea (95 per cent), anorexia (71 per cent), abdominal pain (70 per cent), high fever (57 per cent), and frank blood in stools (48 per cent). In five (6 per cent) patients CJC isolates were resistant to erythromycin. In all patients CJC infection was self-limited and the majority of patients required only supportive therapy.