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Giardiasis, Pediatric

Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Diarrheal illness caused by small intestine (duodenum and jejunum) and biliary tract infection with flagellated protozoan Giardia intestinalis (also Giardia lamblia and Giardia duode...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Many (50–75%) infected individuals are asymptomatic.

  • Clinical presentation (acute):

    • Sudden-onset watery, foul-smelling diarrhea without blood/pus/mucus

    • Malaise

    • Bloating/flatulence

    • Steatorrhea

    • Abdo...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Metronidazole (not indication approved by FDA)

    • 15 mg/kg/24 h divided t.i.d. PO for 5 to 10 days

    • Efficacy 80–100%

    • Poor palatability

  • Tinidazole (approved for children ≥3 years)

    • 50 mg/kg, ...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Symptom recurrence can be attributable to reinfection, secondary lactose intolerance, insufficient treatment, or drug resistance.

  • Detailed exposu...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Ali SA, Hill DR. Giardia intestinalis. Curr Opin Infect Dis.  2003;16(5):453–460. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • American Academy of Pediatrics. Giardia intestinalis (formerly ...

CODES

ICD9

  • 007.1 Giardiasis

ICD10

  • A07.1 Giardiasis [lambliasis]

SNOMED

  • 58265007 Giardiasis (disorder)

  • 10679007 Infection by Giardia lamblia

FAQ

  • Q: How is G. intestinalis likely contracted?

  • A: Direct person-to-person contact via fecal–oral transmission. Most community-wide epidemics occur from a contaminated water supply (drinking water), a...

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