Nutritional intervention in acute diarrhea: is a lactose-free formula essential?

A prospective study was done to determine the incidence of disaccharide intolerance among 3-36 month-old patients with acute watery diarrhea who were on breast feeding and/or lactose-containing formula. The effect of feeding intervention on the outcome was investigated. Significant disaccharide intolerance was defined as one with (1) biochemical derangements: stool pH < 6.0 (Riedel de Haen pH paper) and reducing substances > or = 0.5 mg% (Clinitest) on two consecutive determinations and (2) clinical evidence: high purging rate (> 10 gm/kg/hour) and reappearance of dehydration and/or weight loss while on a lactose containing milk. Seven of 92 patients (7.8%) had biochemical evidence of disaccharide malabsorption on admission. Subsequent monitoring of the study population showed absence of disaccharide intolerance. Despite a lactose containing formula, a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in stool output from the first to the second day (145.85 +/- 130.26 vs 115.43 +/- 95.65 g/kg admission weight) was noted. Likewise, weight gain from admission to discharge (4.56 +/- 3.44%) was observed. The mean total duration of illness (4.75 +/- 2.84 days) was well within the usual course of five to seven days. This study supports the current recommendation of continued breast feeding and/or use of lactose containing formula during acute watery diarrhea.

Diarrhoea among Vietnamese refugees in the Philippines.

A 6-month survey of diarrhoeas in Vietnamese refugee camp children was carried out and was responsible for 32.5% of pediatric consultations. One hundred twenty cases were studied and underwent laboratory work-up. Peak incidence was in the 4-6 years. Diarrhoea was observed to be at its peak in April and June which coincides with the increase in the number of transients and with the rainy season. Diarrhoea with fever and abdominal pain were the most prominent clinical symptoms. Only 8.3% grew bacterial pathogens' enteropathogenic E. coli being the most common followed by Staphylococcus aureus. It is apparent that a causative agent other than a bacterial pathogen such as a virus may play a major role in diarrhoeas in Vietnamese refugee infants and children. The lack of environmental sanitation and health education play a major role in the causation of diarrhoea in these refugee children.

The efficacy of metronidazole in the treatment of giardiasis.

An eight-month survey of patients with gastrointestinal complaints is presented. There were 213 cases collected. Based on stool examinations, Ascaris lumbricoides is still the most common followed by Giardia lamblia and Trichuris trichiura, respectively. From these 213 cases, Giardia was detected in 34 patients. Most of the subjects belong to the older age group between 7-10 years. Anorexia and weight loss are the most common complaints followed by diarrhoea. Based on the duration of complaints, giardiasis is a chronic infection. All 34 subjects were managed with metronidazole at a dose of 40 mg per kg per day in three divided doses for a period of seven days. Cure rate was 100% with no toxicity noted. Metronidazole is therefore suggested as a drug of choice for Giardia lamblia infection.

Child-to-Child programme in the Philippine setting.

The Philippines is an archipelago with a growing population, largely rural, 50% of which is in the 0-14 years old age group. As noted by WHO (1978), the leading health problems are communicable diseases, malnutrition, poor environmental sanitation, malaria and schistosomiasis, rapid population growth, drug abuse and dependence. Health care delivery is hampered by insufficient number and maldistribution of personnel, health clinics and hospitals. The predominant attitude of curative rather than preventive approach to health problems shared by consumers and care givers alike, passive and meager participation if at all on the part of recipients also contribute to deficient health care delivery. Child-to-Child health programmes would be most useful in depressed areas of the country, especially in the rural setting and should be widely implemented if feasible. Data concerning the community involved will include resources, strengths and weaknesses, and degree of commitment from its members. We hope to have in the Philippines more experience in Child-to-Child programmes-health care delivery in the future.