Long-Term Effects of Campylobacteriosis in Infants

Background . Campylobacteriosis is the leading cause of bloody diarrhea worldwide. Infants have high risk severe campylobacteriosis as well as development of complications affecting the child growth and development. Objective . The aim of the study is to evaluate the long-term effects of campylobacteriosis in infants. Methods . A multicenter, prospective, dynamic, open, observational study included 80 children aged from 3 months to 2 years. The follow-up period after campylobacteriosis was 12 months. Patients were divided into three groups according to the feeding type: 1 — acidified milk formulas, 2 — non-acidified milk formula without a probiotic, 3 — breastfeeding. Physical examination data and anthropometric indicators were evaluated: height, body weight and z-indices. Moreover, qualitative and quantitative indicators of microbiocenosis were evaluated on the 21st day from the disease onset. Results . Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) were diagnosed in 17 children (42.50%) at the follow-up period after campylobacteriosis: functional constipation (n = 11; 27.5%), functional diarrhea (n = 3; 7.50%), infantile colic (n = 2; 5.00%), cyclic vomiting syndrome (n = 1; 2.50%). Disorders of intestinal microbiocenosis were characterized by Bifidobacterium spp. and B. thetaiotaomicron decrease in all groups. Patients with FGID after campylobacteriosis had profound decrease in the level of Bifidobacterium spp., F. prausnitzii and B. thetaiotaomicron, and slower rate of body weight gain. The more profound decrease in body weight gain rates was observed in patients with initially low indicators. 10 (25.00%) patients after campylobacteriosis had no slowdown in body weight gain. 5 of them were administered with acidified milk formula during the convalescence period. 7 children (17.5%) had a decrease in weight-to-age ratio relevant to body weight deficiency, while 6 children (15.0%) moreover had malnutrition in BMI-to-age index significantly more frequently (p = 0.0050) with non-acidified milk formula without a probiotic after completion of the follow-up. Conclusion . The inclusion of children on formula feeding in the complex of therapeutic measures (with acidified milk formulas with probiotics) contributes to the improvement of qualitative and quantitative indicators of microbiocenosis and the rapid restoration of the body weight gain and growth rates.