# Development of clinical decision tools for management of diarrhea of children in high and low resource settings

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $397,159

## Abstract

Abstract
Diarrheal diseases are the among the leading cause of death in children worldwide, most of which occur in
low-income countries. In high-income countries, pediatric diarrhea remains a major utilization of healthcare
resources. Treatment of diarrhea is mostly empiric, with antibiotic use mostly based on clinical suspicion for
bacterial causes. However, the majority of cases of diarrhea do not benefit from antibiotic use, and
inappropriate use leads to toxicity and resistance. Furthermore, despite the increasing availability of rapid
molecular testing, there is little data to base a decision of whom or when to test. Our overarching goal is to
develop and validate clinical decision tools for management of diarrheal illnesses in children of both high and
low resource settings. We will utilize prospectively-collected data from two recently-completed multicenter
cohort studies of pediatric diarrhea. These studies feature extensive etiologic testing, well-characterized clinical
elements, and longitudinal outcome data. We have assembled a team with expertise in pediatric diarrhea,
clinical prediction rules, and machine learning methods. In Aim 1, we will use domestic data to develop and
validate: a) a score for bacterial etiology, and b) a score for which patients are likely to benefit from further
testing. We will derive the scores using data from IMPACT, an NIH-sponsored study of 1200 children from 5
US Emergency Departments, and validate using electronic health records from the Utah Intermountain Health
System. In Aim 2, we will use international data to develop and validate: a) a diagnostic score for bacterial
etiology, and b) a prognostic score for risk stratification of children who go on to poor outcomes. We will derive
the scores using data from GEMS, a study of over 9400 children across 7 low-resource countries, and validate
using VIDA study of children in 3 African countries. Completion of the Aims will result in the availability of a
number of clinical tools that healthcare workers worldwide can use for evidence-based care of children with
diarrhea.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9912093
- **Project number:** 5R01AI135114-03
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel Ted Leung
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $397,159
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-08 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9912093

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9912093, Development of clinical decision tools for management of diarrhea of children in high and low resource settings (5R01AI135114-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9912093. Licensed CC0.

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