Effect of Gut Microbiota and Fecal Inflammatory Marker on Childhood Gastroenteritis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Childhood gastroenteritis establishes gastrointestinal disease and increase the economic burden, and the pediatric population is especially vulnerable to these gastrointestinal infections. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of intestinal microbiota and their relationship with childhood gastroenteritis.

Detailed Description
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Childhood gastroenteritis establishes gastrointestinal disease and increase the economic burden, and the pediatric population is especially vulnerable to these gastrointestinal infections. According to a World Health Organization report in 2003, the median incidence of diarrhea for all children age under 5 years was 3.2 episodes per child-year, and this number has not changed significantly since 1980s. In Taiwan, the enteric pathogens associated mortality is low, but the social burden and economic costs are substantial because of the high incidence. Intestinal microflora are able to use the substances consumed in the diet: bacteria can transform complex polysaccharides and monosaccharides in short-chain fatty acids. Short-chain fatty acids are a source of energy for colonocytes and directly affect the storage of lipids and the absorption and metabolism of food, creating the so-called 'second meal effect'. Qualitative and quantitative alterations of commensal flora may result in various gastrointestinal and extraintestinal diseases. One of the first interactions these bacteria have when interacting with the intestinal epithelial cells lining the GI tact. The first aim of this study is to evaluate the role of intestinal microbiota and their relationship with childhood gastroenteritis. The second aim of this study is determining the inflammatory markers (such as fecal TNF-α, interleukin -6, calprotectin, lactoferrin) on the host of childhood gastroenteritis. The investigators try to seek to gain an advanced understanding effect of intestinal microbiota and fecal inflammatory marker in the childhood gastroenteritis.

Official Title
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To Explore the Effect of Intestinal Microbiota and Fecal Inflammatory Marker on Childhood Gastroenteritis

Conditions
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Clinical Infection, Microbial Colonization, Gastroenteritis, Inflammatory Response, Probiotics

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Children with or without diarrhea less than three days Exclusion Criteria: diabetes chronic liver disease

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 6 Months
Maximum Age: 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| diarrhea with probiotics supplement<br>The children suffered from diarrhea, gastroenteritis oral probiotics during the clinical course | |
| diarrhea without probiotics supplement<br>The children suffered from diarrhea, gastroenteritis no oral probiotics during the clinical course | |
| healthy control<br>The children without diarrhea/ gastroenteritis | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fecal bacteria microbiota | Bacteria count in feces | the day of enrollment | 
| Fecal bacteria microbiota | Bacteria count in feces | 3 days after enrollment | 
| Fecal bacteria microbiota | Bacteria count in feces | 7 days after enrollment | 
| Fecal bacteria microbiota | Bacteria count in feces | 1 month after enrollment |