Pseudomembranous colitis associated with antibiotic therapy in a child: report of a case and review of the literature.

A case of pseudomembranous colitis is presented in a child with multiple medical problems who received intraoperative antibiotics. Despite aggressive medical management and operative intervention, the patient died. All patients who develop diarrhea after receiving antibiotics should be suspected of having pseudomembranous colitis. Sigmoidoscopy and hyaque enema should be performed to confirm the diagnosis and all antibiotics should be discontinued. Aggressive medical management consisting of intravenous fluids, albumin, lactinex granules, fecal enemas, and cholestyramine should be instituted. Surgery should be considered only in the face of perforation, toxic megacolon, peritonitis, and failure of medical management with disease limited to the colon.