Diarrea aguda en el lactante y preescolar / Acute diarrhea in toddlers and infants

Acute diarrhea (AD) is the increase in frequency and volume of bowel movements with decrease in their consistency that lasts less than 14 days. AD is a major public health problem and is still nowadays a cause of significant morbidity and mortality during childhood, especially in children with nutritional deficits. At a younger age, there is a greater susceptibility to diarrhea, which is more intense and more likely cause dehydration. The prevention and management of dehydration is the mainstay of treatment. The use of medications must be used with caution, analyzing individual cases and based on the best available evidence. We will analyze the subject with special emphasis on treatment according to scientific evidence.

La diarrea aguda (DA) se define como el aumento en la frecuencia y volumen de las deposiciones con disminución de la consistencia y que dura menos de 14 días. La DA es un gran problema de salud pública y es aún hoy en día una causa de importante morbimortalidad durante la infancia en especial en niños con déficits nutricionales. A menor edad hay mayor susceptibilidad de presentar diarrea, siendo ésta de mayor intensidad y con mayores posibilidades de producir deshidratación. La prevención y el manejo de la deshidratación es el pilar fundamental del tratamiento. El uso de medicamentos debe ser criterioso, analizando cada caso individual y basado en la mejor evidencia disponible. Analizaremos el tema con especial énfasis en el tratamiento según evidencia científica.

Poor utilization and wrong preparation of oral rehydration salt solution during childhood diarrhea in Ilesa, Nigeria

Background and Aim: Diarrheal deaths are largely preventable with the use of oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution. The aim of this study was to investigate the preparation and use of ORS for the treatment of childhood diarrhea in Ilesa, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The characteristics of the present diarrheal illness as well as biodata, social class, use of ORS solution, and the method of preparation were documented in 250 children with diarrhea at the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria. Data were analyzed using the statistical program for the social sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Results: A total of 151 (60.4%) of the children had been given ORS before the presentation. The ORS was correctly prepared in 38 (25.2%) of them, whereas hypertonic ORS solution was mostly given to the others. A significantly higher proportion (66.7%) of those from high social class had their ORS correctly prepared, compared with 16.1% of those from low social class (P = 0.000). The use of ORS was more prevalent among children with longer duration of diarrhea (P = 0.004). A significantly higher proportion of children who were still breastfeeding were given ORS, compared with those who had stopped breastfeeding (P = 0.007). Conclusion: Teachings on the use and correct preparation of ORS should not be limited to diarrhea treatment units, but should rather be included in the routine health talks given to mothers at antenatal and immunization clinics. The provision of a 1 L measure to be used for measuring water for ORS preparation should be seriously considered to combat the problem of hypertonic ORS preparations

Resurgence of Cholera Outbreak in Yemen

The current cholera outbreak in Yemen, started in October 2016, showed a sign of decline in the first three months of the year. An upsurge of cases and deaths were recorded from 27 April 2017. As of 28 May 2017, a cumulative total of 88,849 suspected cholera cases including 657 associated deaths [CFR: 0.73%] were recorded from 261 districts in 19 governorates across the country since the beginning of the outbreak in 2016 [Please see the graph]

Emergency meeting on scaling up AWD/Cholera preparedness and response in EMR

An emergency sub-Regional meeting was co-hosted, for two days, by WHO and UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Lebanon, in Beirut from 8–9 July 2017, to discuss the ongo-ing Acute watery diarrhoea [AWD]/cholera outbreak in Somalia, Sudan and Yemen and the risk of spillover to neighboring countries, due to frequent movement of population fleeing countries affected by conflict and other reasons. A total of 51 participants representing six Regional Ministries of Health, WHO, UNICEF, and IFRC-MENA attended the meeting

Efeito de soluções eletrolíticas enterais com diferentes osmolaridades sobre o perfil eletrolítico e bioquímico de equinos / Horses treated with enteral electrolyte solutions with differents osmolarities

Foram comparados os efeitos de soluções eletrolíticas com diferentes osmolaridades administradas via enteral por sonda nasoesofágica de pequeno calibre, em fluxo contínuo, sobre o perfil bioquímico em equinos. Foram utilizadas seis fêmeas adultas em dois quadrados latinos 6x3 simultâneos em modelo misto. Os animais foram distribuídos em três grupos e cada grupo submetido aos seguintes tratamentos: HipoMalt - 5g de cloreto de sódio, 0,5g de cloreto de potássio, 0,2g de pidolato de magnésio, 1g de gluconato de cálcio e 10g de maltodextrina diluídos em 1.000mL de água (181mOsmol L-1), HipoDext - 5g de cloreto de sódio, 0,5g de cloreto de potássio, 0,2g de pidolato de magnésio, 1g de gluconato de cálcio e 10g de dextrose diluídos em 1.000mL de água (228mOsmol L-1) e IsoProp - 5g de cloreto de sódio, 0,5g de cloreto de potássio, 0,2g de pidolato de magnésio e 10g de propionato de cálcio diluídos em 1.000mL de água (282mOsm L-1). As soluções contendo dextrose (HipoDext) e maltodextrina (HipoMalt) foram mais eficazes em aumentar a taxa glicêmica sem ocasionar desequilíbrio eletrolítico. Já o tratamento com propionato de cálcio (IsoProp) além de aumentar o lactato plasmático não teve efeito sobre a glicemia.

We compared the effects of electrolyte solutions with different osmolarities administered through enteral route by naso-esophageal probe of small-caliber with continuos flow on the electrolytic and biochemical profile in horses. Six adult females were used in two simultaneous 6x3 Latin squares mixed model. The animals were divided into three groups and received the following treatments: HipoMalt - 5g of sodium chloride, 0.5g of potassium chloride, 0.2g of magnesium pidolate, 1g of calcium gluconate and 10g of maltodextrin diluted in 1.000mL of water (181mOsmol L-1); HipoDext - 5g of sodium chloride, 0.5g of potassium chloride, 0.2g of magnesium pidolate, 1g of calcium gluconate and 10g of dextrose diluted in 1.000mL of water (228mOsmol L-1); IsoProp - 5g of sodium chloride, 0.5g of potassium chloride, 0.2g of magnesium pidolate, 1g of calcium gluconate and 10g of calcium propionate diluted in 1.000mL of water (282mOsm L-1). The hypotonic electrolyte solutions containing dextrose (HipoDext) and maltodextrin (HipoMalt) were more effective in increase the rate glucose without causing electrolyte imbalance. Treatment with calcium propionate (IsoProp) besides increasing plasma lactate had no effect on blood glucose.

Perceptions regarding oral rehydration solutions for the management of diarrhea in Guatemalan children: implications for diarrheal management in the Americas / Ideas con respecto a las soluciones de rehidratación oral en el tratamiento de la diarrea de los niños guatemaltecos: repercusiones sobre el tratamiento de la diarrea en las Américas

OBJECTIVE: To describe knowledge and perceptions regarding the use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) for the management of diarrheal diseases among formal and informal health care providers and community caregivers in the Guatemalan department of Santa Rosa, and to recommend strategies to increase ORS use for management of diarrhea in children. METHODS: From July to September 2008, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with formal health care providers; open-ended interviews were conducted with informal health care providers; and focus group discussions and pile sorting were carried out with community caregivers. RESULT: The study participants attributed episodes of diarrhea in children to culturally recognized or folk ailments (empacho, cuajo, and varillas) that are primarily treated by traditional healers. There were knowledge deficits about 1) dehydration as a manifestation of diarrhea, and 2) management of dehydration, including the use of ORS and the need to continue feedings during diarrheal episodes. Caregivers perceived bottled/ready-made ORS products and the more expensive over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications as superior to ORS packets in the treatment of diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: In Guatemala, folk etiologies of disease differ from those of the biomedical establishment and influence the decisions made by caregivers when treating ill children, including those related to the use of ORS. Public health campaigns addressing the treatment and management of diarrheal diseases in Santa Rosa should recognize the ailments known as empacho, cuajo, and varillas and target them for ORS use by community caregivers as well as health care providers in both the formal and informal health sectors.

OBJETIVO: Describir los conocimientos y las ideas que tienen las personas que prestan atención de salud en el sector convencional, el sector no convencional y los cuidadores de la comunidad con respecto al uso de las soluciones de rehidratación oral en el tratamiento de las enfermedades diarreicas, en el departamento guatemalteco de Santa Rosa y recomendar estrategias encaminadas a aumentar la utilización de estas soluciones en el tratamiento de la diarrea en los niños. MÉTODOS: De julio a septiembre del 2008 se llevaron a cabo entrevistas exhaustivas semiestructuradas a los profesionales de salud y entrevistas con preguntas abiertas a los proveedores no convencionales de atención sanitaria y se organizaron debates en grupos de opinión y ejercicios de ordenamiento de tarjetas con los cuidadores de la comunidad. RESULTADOS: Los participantes en el estudio atribuyeron la causa de los episodios de diarrea en los niños a dolencias culturalmente aceptadas o populares (empacho, cuajo y varillas), que tratan principalmente los curanderos. Se observaron deficiencias en los conocimientos acerca de 1) la deshidratación como una manifestación de la diarrea y 2) el tratamiento de la deshidratación, incluido el uso de las soluciones de rehidratación oral y la necesidad de continuar la alimentación durante los episodios diarreicos. Los cuidadores consideraron las soluciones de rehidratación embotelladas o preparadas y los medicamentos antidiarreicos de venta libre, que son más costosos, como mejores opciones para el tratamiento de la diarrea que las soluciones de rehidratación oral. CONCLUSIONES: En Guatemala, el concepto popular y el de las instituciones biomédicas sobre la causa de las enfermedades es diferente e influye sobre las decisiones que toman los cuidadores al tratar a los niños enfermos, por ejemplo, las relacionadas con el uso de soluciones de rehidratación oral. Las campañas de salud pública que abordan el tratamiento y el manejo de las enfermedades diarreicas en Santa Rosa deben incorporar las dolencias conocidas como empacho, cuajo y varillas y fomentar el uso de las soluciones de rehidratación oral en estos casos, por parte de los cuidadores de la comunidad, los profesionales de salud del sector convencional y los proveedores de atención del sector no convencional.

Conocimientos de los pediatras acerca del uso de soluciones de rehidratación oral en niños menores de cinco años con deshidratación por diarrea aguda infecciosa en dos hospitales de emergencias de Lima / Oral rehydration solutions for treating dehydration caused by acute infectious diarrhea in children less than five years of age: Knowlegde of pediatricians in two emergency hospitals in Lima

Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de conocimientos de los pediatras acerca del uso de soluciones de rehidratación oral para el manejo de la deshidratación leve-moderada en niños menores de cinco años con diarrea aguda infecciosa en dos hospitales de emergencias de Lima. Material y métodos: Estudio analítico transversal, en el cual participaron voluntariamente médicos pediatras de dos hospitales de emergencias de la ciudad de Lima (uno del Ministerio de Salud y otro de la Seguridad Social), previamente informados del objetivo del estudio. Se aplicó un cuestionario autoadministrado, previamente validado, anónimo, con preguntas que evaluaron conocimientos sobre el uso de las soluciones de rehidratación oral. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y un análisis bivariado entre tiempo de ejercicio como pediatra, edad y puntaje de conocimientos mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson y comparación de medias para el nivel de percepción de conocimientos y puntaje de conocimientos. Resultados: El promedio general del puntaje de conocimientos fue de 40.19.6 (puntaje máximo posible 80 puntos). El 100% de los pediatras presentaron un nivel de conocimientos inadecuado (63 puntos o menos). El tiempo de ejercicio como pediatra (r= -0.095, p= 0.597) y la edad (r= -0.223, p= 0.212) no se correlacionaron con el puntaje de conocimientos. No existe relación entre la percepción del conocimiento y su conocimiento, no hubo diferencia en el puntaje de conocimientos entre quienes dijeron que su conocimiento era regular (38.89.7) y quienes dijeron que era mucho (42.49.4) (p=0.305). Conclusiones: Los hallazgos del presente estudio tienen importante repercusión en el ámbito del manejo de un niño con deshidratación por diarrea aguda infecciosa, debiéndose remarcar la necesidad de la renovación y afianzamiento de los conocimiento que contribuyan a un manejo adecuado de estos pacientes.

Objective: To determine pediatricians´ level of knowledge about the use of oral rehydration solutions for treating mild to moderate dehydration caused by acute infectious diarrhea in children under five years, in two emergency hospitals in Lima. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study, in which pediatricians from two emergency hospitals in Lima (one from the Ministry of Health and other from the Social Security) voluntarily participated, after they were informed of the purpose of the study. We used a self-administered anonymous questionnaire, previously validated, which included with questions that assessed knowledge about the use of oral rehydration solutions. We performed a descriptive and a bivariate analysis between time of work as a pediatrician, age and knowledge scores by Pearson correlation coefficient and mean for the perceived level of knowledge and knowledge score. Results: Average knowledge score was 40.1±9.6 (maximum possible score 80 points). All the pediatricians had an inadequate level of knowledge (63 points or less). The time of work as a pediatrician (r = -0095, p = 0.597) and age (r = -0223, p = 0.212) were not correlated with knowledge scores. There is no relationship between perception of knowledge and knowledge it self, there was no difference in knowledge scores between those who said their knowledge was regular (38.8 9.7) and who said it was big (42.4 9.4) (p = 0.305). Conclusions: Findings of this study have important implications in the management of a child with dehydration due to acute infectious diarrhea, being necessary to reinforce the need for the renewal and strengthening of knowledge that contribute to proper management of these patients.

Randomized double blinded controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bifilac in patients with acute viral diarrhea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bifilac on reducing the episodes (frequency) and duration of diarrhea induced by rotaviral infection and to evaluate the efficacy of Bifilac to ameliorate the associated symptoms like dehydration and duration of rotaviral shedding in faeces. METHODS: 80 children aged between 3 months and 3 years were enrolled and divided into 2 groups, one group received standard therapy + placebo, the other group received standard therapy + probiotic (Bifilac) randomly. Children assessed for frequency and duration of diarrhea. Degree of dehydration, duration and volume of oral rehydration salt [ORS] therapy, duration and volume of Intra venous fluids and duration of rotaviral shedding. RESULTS: When compared to the placebo, Bifilac showed clinical as well as statistically significant reduction in Number of episodes (frequency) of diarrhea in a day, mean duration of diarrhea (in days) degree of dehydration, duration and volume of oral rehydration salt [ORS] therapy, duration and volume of intravenous fluid [IVF] therapy, duration of rotaviral shedding (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The synbiotic, bifilac, appears to be a safe and very effective adjuvant in the management of acute rotaviral diarrhea.

Curso Terapêutica em Gastroenterologia: aula 4: Diarréia aguda / Gastroenterology Therapeutic Course: class 4: Acute diarrhea

A diarréia aguda é um problema de saúde mundial, em especial nos países em desenvolvimento e subdesenvolvidos, onde a indidência é maior e constitui uma das principais causas de mortalidade infantil. É definida como alteração do hábito intestinal em que pode ocorrer aumento do volume das fezes, do número de evacuações diárias ou diminuição da consistência fecal. Pode ter grande variedade de causas, infecciosas ou não. Independente da etiologia, pode ser classificada em dois grandes gruupos: diarréia aguda não-inflamatória e diarréia aguda inflamatória. A maior parte dos casos é de evolução autolimitada, de modo que o tratamento deverá ser voltado principalmente para corrigir a desidratação, principal complicação do quadro.

Acute diarrhoeal diseases--an approach to management.

Acute diarrhoeal diseases rank second amongst all infectious diseases as a killer in children below 5 years of age worldwide. Globally, 1.3 billion episodes occur annually, with an average of 2-3 episodes per child per year. The important aetiologic agents of diarrhoea and the guidelines for management are discussed. Management of acute diarrhoea is entirely based on clinical presentation of the cases. It includes assessment of the degree of dehydration clinically, rehydration therapy, feeding during diarrhoea, use of antibiotic(s) in selected cases, micronutrient supplementation and use of probiotics. Assessment of the degree of dehydration should be done following the WHO guidelines. Dehydration can be managed with oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution or intravenous fluids. Recently WHO has recommended a hypo-osmolar ORS solution for the treatment of all cases of acute diarrhoea including cholera. Feeding during and after diarrhoea (for at least 2-3 weeks) prevents malnutrition and growth retardation. Antibiotic therapy is not recommended for the treatmentof diarrhoea routinely. Only cases of severe cholera and bloody diarrhoea (presumably shigellosis) should be treated with a suitable antibiotic. Pilot studies in several countries have shown that zinc supplementation during diarrhoea reduces the severity and duration of the disease as well as antidiarrhoeal and antimicrobial use rate. Probiotics may offer a safe intervention in acute infectious diarrhoea to reduce the duration and severity of the illness.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding home management of acute diarrhoea in Sunsari, Nepal.

In Nepal, 45,000 children less than five years age die due to diarrhoea annually. Home management of diarrhoea is the hallmark of control of diarrhoeal diseases program in Nepal, which also aims to increase the correct use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) by mothers, so mothers play a great role in the reducing the morbidity and mortality of children. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of the mother regarding home management of acute diarrhea in their children. The list of 330 children on Plan 'A' treatment was prepared at 11 peripheral health institutions of Sunsari district. Their identification data were recorded by health workers. The mothers were interviewed by the same health worker at the time of home visit after 24 hrs to know the improvement in the child and also preparation and use of ORS. Majority (97.6%) of the mother had information about ORS and also its usefulness in the management of dehydration due to diarrhea. Fifty percent mothers could make ORS properly and gave ORS to their children ideally (after each stool). The correct preparation and ideal use of ORS have not reached in proper way to the mothers of Sunsari district. Use of ORS definitely lowers the mortality due to dehydration, an effect that can clearly be seen in the short term. Intervention such as increasing women's literacy, improving basic sanitation and health care services, and raising the general nutritional status of the population can only be expected to decrease the diarrhoeal diseases morbidity and mortality in long term.

More reliable data for diarrhoeal intervention programmes: rethinking on knowledge, attitude and practice studies.

The aim of this study was to propose an alternative approach to traditional knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies to enhance the quality of data on which educational health programmes are based. The methodology proposed and illustrated involved a triangulation of approaches derived from linguistics, cognitive science, and medical laboratory sciences. Three diarrhoeal health talks (educational messages) as given to mothers in three primary-care facilities in Borno State (Northeast Nigeria) were subjected to a linguistics analysis. Relationships were then sought between the ontology of knowledge in the health talks as revealed by the text analysis and two other kinds of data, namely: (a) mothers' answers to a set of ecologically-sensitive reasoning questions that test how much relevant inferential knowledge the health talks allow for and (b) results of microbiological and biochemical analyses of salt-sugar rehydration solutions prepared by mothers participating in the study. The findings of the study show a relationship between contents/formatting of the health talks and the extent to which relevant inferential competence was supported or demonstrated by mothers. It was also evident that the laboratory analyses could be related either directly to the health talks or indirectly in terms of what the health talks need to emphasize on. The conclusion shows how the methodology proposed addresses shortcomings of traditional KAP studies in respect of the gap between health knowledge and practice.

Knowledge of diarrhea management among rural practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: To determine diarrhea management in rural practitioners. METHODS: This study was conducted among the RMP's of 4 blocks of Aligarh. Pre-coded questionnaire was completed and educational programme followed. 91% were prescribing ORS in various combinations, but only 9.8% were advising ORS and feeding as standard management of diarrhea. Only 12.8% could name a WHO ORS brand and 50% were giving wrong instructions for preparation. 95% were advising inadequate amounts of ORS. Only 43.5% were advising feeding during diarrhea but 86.6% were advising to continue breastfeeding. On an average every 3rd to 4th patient was administered IVF's. 52% felt that drugs should be prescribed. RESULTS: 90% and 55.3% of RMPs could identify diarrhea and key signs of dehydration. CONCLUSION: There is a need for hands on training for the practitioners and education of the masses regarding proper management of diarrhea.

Home management of childhood diarrhoea in a poor periurban community in Dominican Republic.

The purpose of this study was to identify local knowledge and practices of, and barriers to, the home management of childhood diarrhoea in a poor periurban district of the Dominican Republic. In total, 582 caregivers of children aged five years and younger were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Forty-six percent of the caregivers reported that one of their children had experienced diarrhoea within the last month. There was high reported use of ORS and knowledge of its preparation and principal function. However, there were many obstacles to its use. Other concerns included high rates of dietary restrictions during diarrhoea, positive view of the use of antibiotics, poor knowledge of preparation of sugar-salt solutions, and low attention given to clinical indicators as reasons for seeking professional treatment. Health-promotion efforts should target these areas of concerns to further improve the management of childhood diarrhoea in this district.

Manejo ambulatorio del síndrome diarreico agudo en adultos / Management of acute diarrheic syndrome in adults

La diarrea continúa siendo un problema epidemiológico debido a la emergencia de resistencia bacteriana y la identificación de nuevos agentes causales. La mayoría de los casos de diarrea evolucionan en forma autolimitada requiriendo sólo manejo dietético, analgesia, e indicaciones simples. Datos obtenidos en estudios randomizados apoyan el beneficio del uso de loperamida como agente anti diarreico. La terapia de rehidratación oral es útil en el manejo de adultos con cólera. Los pacientes con curso prolongado de diarrea, disentería y síndromes coleriformes, como así también los huéspedes inmunosuprimidos, requieren de un estudio etiológico que incluya leucocitos fecales, copro-cultivo, detección de parásitos y, en casos especiales, la búsqueda de Campylobacter spp, Vibrio spp y las diferentes categorías de Escherichia coli enteropatógena. El conocimiento actual apoya el empleo de antimicrobia-nos en Shigella spp, Vibrio, cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia y en diarrea del viajero. La terapia antimicrobiana no ha demostrado ser útil en la infección gastrointestinal por Campylobacter sp ni en salmonelosis no tíficas. Las quinolonas pueden ser empleadas como terapia empírica inicial o tras la identificación del patógeno causal. Diversas alternativas están disponibles para la terapia de la enteropa-rasitosis, incluyendo metronidazol y dosis única de tinidazol