Paediatric enema syndrome in a rural African setting

SummaryWe have observed a distinct clinical syndrome amongst acutely unwell children frequently associated with the administration of a traditional medicine enema. We describe the clinicopathological features of this ‘enema syndrome’ based on retrospective case note review of 50 consecutive admissions to a South African rural district hospital. Admission was frequently prompted by sudden, marked clinical deterioration following enema administration (68% seen within 24 h). Respiratory distress with tachypnoea, abdominal distension, hypotonia and loss of consciousness occurred frequently. In-hospital mortality was 28% and was higher in those receiving herbal (43%) rather than chemical (21%) enemas. Hyperkalaemia, leucocytosis (> 15 000 mm3) and respiratory distress occurred more frequently in those who died. Diagnosis of an underlying illness was established in 78%. Whilst the majority of enemas are given without incident, children struggling with an underlying illness may be unable to tolerate rectally adm...