Randomized trial investigates enteropathogen impacts on mortality in young children, suggesting needed interventions.
Key Points
The aim is to evaluate the prevalence of enteropathogens and associated biomarkers of enteric dysfunction in hospitalized children compared to community peers.
Sample size of 811 hospitalized children and 248 community children aged 2–23 months from nine LMIC facilities.
Analysis involved crude and adjusted linear mixed effect models and Cox-proportional hazard models for mortality associations.
Comparison of fecal biomarkers including myeloperoxidase, calprotectin, and α-1-antitrypsin.
Invasive enteropathogens were more prevalent at admission (69%) versus discharge (60%), p < 0.001.
Fecal calprotectin was significantly associated with mortality post-discharge (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.07-1.72, p = 0.011).
Biomarker levels decreased by discharge compared to community children, but remained elevated initially.