Preventing gastro-enteritis deaths: recommendations based on a 3 years study.

Based on epidemiological investigation of 75 gstro-enteritis deaths that occurred in 22 major hospitals of Delhi during 1990-92, this paper deals with the observations pertaining to the role of physicians and health infrastructure in the management of gastro-enteritis patients. Majority of the patients visited private practitioners/clinics in the first instance. Hospital stay in 44% of cases was 6 hours or more, by which time dehydration and/or electrolyte imbalance should have been corrected. Still, in 54.5 percent out of these, dehydration was the cause of death, while in 18.2 percent electrolyte imbalance co-existed. Record maintenance at various hospitals was far from satisfactory. The study, highlighting the need for proper rehydration and timely referral enlists recommendations that might help in preventing gastro-enteritis deaths.

An epidemiological profile of gastro-enteritis deaths in Delhi state.

This paper describes epidemiological features of 75 gastro-enteritis deaths that occured in 22 major hospitals of Delhi during 1990-92. Three fourth's of deaths were in under five years of age group and more than half were infants. In 84 per cent, diarrhoea was of an acute watery type. Dehydration was the commonest immediate cause of death, while malnutrition was the commonest associated cause. No ORS/SSS/HAF was given to one fourth of the patients. Close relatives of two third's of deceased were either not aware at all about ORS/SSS or had incorrect information. In 87 per cent, food intake was either stopped or had been restricted. The study emphasizes the need for an intensive IEC campaign for prevention, and for better case management in the hospitals coupled with appropriate reorientation training of private practitioners.