Management of Diarrhoeal Disease in Children

Diarrhoea is the most common cause of death among children, mainly below 5 years of age. Increase in the frequency of defecation, fluidity of stools, and abnormal consistency of stools are the main indications of diarrhoea. It can be managed by rehydrating the children with ORT like ORS, continuing the feed, breast feeding up to particular age group. ORS helps mainly in reducing the frequency, fluidity, consistency of stools. Now-a-days conventional ORS was replaced with low osmolarity ORS, which has reduced the IV infusion and prolonged hospital stay. Zinc supplementation along with ORS reduces diarrhoeal deaths. Children should be fed with Nutritious food i:e foods containing high micronutrients like folic acid, zinc, vitamin A which helps in controlling and reducing diarrhoeal episodes. Factors like maintaining hygiene, supplying adequate pure and safe water, washing hands with soap, proper sanitation and immunization mainly for Rota virus and measles helps in preventing childhood diarrhoea. Prevention of stunting also plays a main role in preventing diarrhoeal episodes in children. Educating the mother about the disease helps in reducing episodes and preventing childhood deaths.