Rectal Prolapse Complicated with Clostridium difficile-associated Pseudomembranous Colitis in a Child

Abstract

Among the complications of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection, rectal prolapse has been very rarely reported in children. We report a 29-month-old girl who presented with rectal prolapse complicated with C. difficile -associated pseudomembranous colitis following 3-week course of oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for treatment of acute otitis media. The patient complained of fever, abdominal pain and mucoid bloody diarrhea. She also showed a protruded and everted rectal mucosa with discrete white-yellowish exudative plaques. Abdominal CT scan revealed a diffuse wall thickening with mucosal enhancement of the rectosigmoid colon. Both stool culture and toxin assay for C. difficile were positive. Her symptoms were completely improved with oral metronidazole treatment. C. diffile ?associated pseudomembranous colitis should be considered as a rre but possible cause of rectal prolapse in children who have recently received antibiotic therapy.