ACUTE DIARRHEA IN CHILDREN OF EMIGRANTS DURING SUMMER VISITS TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:A CLINICAL, ETIOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC ANALYSIS OF 24 PEDIATRIC CASES (MAY–OCTOBER 2025)

Dika-Haxhirexha, Ferizat and Ademi, Aferdita and Koxha, Sevdije and HAXHIREXHA, Aulona and BLLANCA, Blinera and HAXHIREXHA, Labeat and Turkeshi, Shqiponja (2026) ACUTE DIARRHEA IN CHILDREN OF EMIGRANTS DURING SUMMER VISITS TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:A CLINICAL, ETIOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC ANALYSIS OF 24 PEDIATRIC CASES (MAY–OCTOBER 2025). In: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “FROM RESEARCH TO APPLICATION”, 20 May, 2026.

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Abstract

Background. Acute diarrhea remains one of the most frequent causes of pediatric presentation during the warm months, and children of emigrant families returning to their country of origin constitute a particularly high-risk subgroup (pediatric VFR — visiting friends and relatives). Abrupt changes in dietary regimen and water quality, variable hygienic-sanitary conditions and exposure to local enteric pathogens markedly increase the incidence of infectious gastroenteritis in this population. Aim. To analyze the etiological factors, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging findings, treatment delivered and clinical course of acute diarrhea in children of emigrants who presented during the summer season, and to identify modifiable predisposing factors. Materials and methods. A retrospective descriptive study was carried out on 24 children aged 2–16 years (14 girls, 10 boys) treated for acute diarrhea between May and October 2025. Demographic data, exposure history, laboratory work-up (complete blood count, CRP, electrolytes, stool culture, parasitological examination), imaging findings (abdominal ultrasound, plain abdominal radiography), treatment and clinical course were analyzed. Results. Infectious etiology predominated: viral gastroenteritis 41.7%, bacterial infection 29.2%, foodborne intoxication 16.7%, intestinal parasitosis 8.3%. The most frequent bacterial pathogens were Salmonella spp., enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Campylobacter jejuni. Dominant symptoms were watery diarrhea (100%), abdominal pain (79.2%) and vomiting (62.5%). Mild-to-moderate dehydration was documented in 37.5% of cases. Eighteen patients (75%) were managed on an outpatient basis; 6 (25%) required short-term hospitalization (mean 2.3 days). No serious complications occurred. Conclusion. Diarrhea in children of emigrants during summer visits is mostly of infectious origin transmitted via the fecal-oral route and is closely related to dietary exposures in uncontrolled household settings. Pre-travel counseling, food and water hygiene and early oral rehydration are the cornerstones of prevention and treatment.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Medicine
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email zshi@unite.edu.mk
Date Deposited: 22 Sep 2026 11:40
Last Modified: 22 Sep 2026 11:40
URI: http://eprints.unite.edu.mk/id/eprint/2443

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