[Child amoebic dysentery in New Caledonia (author's transl)].

After giving their diagnostic criteria, the authors report 8 cases of amoebic dysentery observed in children, in New Caledonia. The young patients' age ranges from 2 to 8. Clinical symptoms are the same as in adults but anemia and malnutrition are frequently associated to amoebiasis as well as various intestinal nematodes. Serological test has little value in colic amoebiasis but is useful to rule out an hepatic localization. Treatment is easy and effective with metronidazole.