Morbidity and mortality in severely burned children with Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea

Abstract

Background: Clostridium difficile is a key culprit underlying nosocomial infectious diarrhea. We investigated the effect of C difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) on morbidity and mortality in severely burned children and CDAD risk factors.

Methods: After review of 2,840 records, 288 pediatric burn patients were identified as having stool output of >10 mL•kg(-1)•min(-1) for ≥2 successive days and had stool samples immunoassayed for toxins A and B. A case control analysis was performed by matching cases to controls via logistic regression and propensity scores so that age, admission time, and time of occurrence could be controlled; the endpoints were mortality and hospitalization time.

Results: Eighteen patients tested positive for C difficile toxins (median age, 4 years; mean total body surface area burned, 59%). In the CDAD group, unadjusted in-hospital mortality was 28% (odds ratio, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.7-16.7; P = .01). Hospitalization averaged 48 days in the CDAD group and 38 days in the non-CDAD group (P = .24). Duration of stay per percent total body surface area burned was greater in the CDAD group (0.82 ± 0.4 vs 0.60 ± 0.4; P = .03), as were prolonged bouts of diarrhea complicated by acidosis (13 ± 16 vs 4 ± 5 days; P < .005). Of the 18 possible risk factors evaluated, inhalation injury diagnosed at admission occurred more often in CDAD patients than matched controls (59% vs 31%; P = .04).

Conclusion: CDAD during hospitalization is associated with greater mortality after burns. Inhalation injury increases the likelihood of C difficile infection. Whether C difficile infection is an indication of greater illness among certain burned patients is unknown.