IMPACT OF DIARRHEA ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN BETWEEN AGE GROUP 2 TO 60 MONTHS

Dr Poorva Gohiya; Dr Varsha Kumari; Dr Rashmi Dwivedi

Volume : VII, Issue : XII, December - 2018

IMPACT OF DIARRHEA ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN BETWEEN AGE GROUP 2 TO 60 MONTHS

Dr Poorva Gohiya, Dr Varsha Kumari, Dr Rashmi Dwivedi

Abstract :

AIM: To identify the impact of diarrhea on the overall nutritional status and development of children and vice-versa.

METHODS: This hospital based cross sectional study included all children 2months to 60 months admitted from January to December 2016 in a tertiary care centre in Central India with chief complaints of loose stools in the last 7 days. A pre-tested questionnaire and face to face interviews was used as the data collection tool.

RESULTS: Data showed 14.9% cases were wasted, 36.2% were underweight and 15.4% were stunted comprising about 36% of our total study group. Of the total cases that died due to diarrhea, 69% were malnourished. Presence of stunting as well as wasting cannot be explained by a single episode of diarrhea and suggests their inverse relationship.

CONCLUSION: Malnutrition is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this area and also repeated episodes of diarrhea can have negative impact on the child�s physical growth and development