ABSTRACT
Dietary information and anthropometric measurements were obtained on 6 seperate occasions during one month for each of 68 children under 5 years of age during and after recovery from rotavirus diarrhoea. The period of exclusive breastfeeding was under 3 months for 89 percent of children, 36 percent had received solids before 4 months, and 24 percent were currently receiving some breastmilk. Eighty-two per cent of mothers had observed weight loss and reduced appetitie since the onset of diarrhoea. Dietary recalls (24-hour) showed that 94 percent of children were receiving less than two-thirds of the recommended allowance for energy during the acute phase of diarrhoea, 60 percent during early convalescence and 40 percent during late convalescence (4 and 14 days after cessation of diarrhoea respectively. Intakes per kilogramme body weight were also low: PHASE - Acute diarrhoea, Early convalescence, Late convalescence; JAMAICA 43 ñ 19, 68 ñ 23, 78 ñ 22 respectively KCALS/KG/DAY, BANGLADESH (Rotavirus patients) 63, 84, 100 respectively. Bangladesh studies report higher intakes among children with non-rotavirus diarrhoeas. Healthy Jamaican children are reported to have a mean intake of 80 Kcals/kg. The average weight gain of the children was twice the expected gain. However, children with lower energy intakes during early convalescence, when 85 percent had recovered appetities, gained less than the expected weight. Breastmilk can make an important contribution to energy intake during infection. This study found that most children receiving breastmilk had better weight gains. The study underlines the need for adequate diets during and following recovery from acute diarrhoea to counteract the negative nutritional impact of the episode. Breastfeeding can help to maintain a minimum intake in the face of appetite loss (AU)
