Risk factors for development of dehydration in children below five years with acute diarrhea

Abstract EN

Background : Dehydration is the leading cause of death in diarrheal diseases.

Poverty, lack of safe water and sanitation, early motherhood, inadequate health care, and lack of breast feeding have been associated with a poor prognosis for diarrhea among young children.

Aim : To identify risk factors for development of dehydration in children below five year old with acute diarrhea.

Patients and method : A case-control study was conducted to determine the risk factors for development of moderate to severe dehydration.

A total of 200 children comprising 100 cases (moderate or severe dehydration) and 100 controls (non or mild dehydration) up to 5 years of age suffering from acute diarrhea were studied.

Fourteen variables were investigated as risk factors.

Results : By univariate analysis, Infancy, malnutrition, cessation of breast feeding, cessation or reduction of fluid and ORS during diarrheal episode, and no washing of mothers hand before preparation of food, after defecation and after disposal of feces, were identified as significant risk factors for development of moderate to sever dehydration in acute diarrhea.

Conclusion : These findings may be useful for formulating intervention strategies for preventing death due to diarrheal dehydration.