Role of Nutrition in Infantile Diarrhoea

Introduction: Acute diarrhoea in children under 2 years of age is conventionally known as infantile diarrhoea. 50% of diarrhoea among under-5 children occurs between 6 months and one year of age. Over 70% are of viral aetiology, Rotavirus being the most common. Astrovirus, Novo virus, Adenovirus, and the like are other viral agents responsible.1 It is the second most common cause of about 12% mortality among under-5 children in India, next to pneumonia. Death usually occurs due to dehydration and /or dyselectrolytemia, peculiarly occurring among the malnourished hospitalised children in developing countries. Continued feeding is as vital as rehydration with reduced osmolar oral rehydration solution (RORS), as per WHO, irrespective of age and aetiology.2 Diarrhoea in children is also a major factor for parenteral anxiety, concern and accounted for loss in their daily wage. If diarrhoea persisted beyond 14 days, it is termed chronic diarrhoea, deserving detailed aetiological investigation and appropriate management, particularly, focussing on the nutritional aspect.3 Case presentation: 8 months old girl was brought to pediatric OPD with a complaint of loose stools, 8 to 10 times a day for the last 2 days. There was no visible blood in the stool. The child vomited 2-3 times in a day, had a mild fever, coryza, cough, and passed urine normally. She was exclusively breastfed up to 6 months of age. Complimentary feeding included formula milk from bottles and a home-based soft diet. Recently started on cow’s milk a week back. O/E: Weight 7.5 Kg. (Recorded 7 Kg 2 weeks back). Length – 70 CM. Mid-arm circumference (MAC) – 11 CM. Pulse 90 / min of good volume. BP 86/60 mmHg, CRT <2 Seconds. Found afebrile, alert but irritable and thirsty. Has mild pallor, a slightly dry mouth, sunken eyes, but the skin pinch was going back readily. Management:…

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