Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Children with Persistent Diarrhoea

Background: Despite thewidespread use of oral rehydration therapy, a substantial number of acute diarrhoeal episodes last for more than 14 days (persistent diarrhoea) is still a problem in developing countries. Early and appropriate management of acute diarrhoeal episodes can decrease persistent diarrhoea (PD). Objective: To study the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of persistent diarrhoea in referral cases at a tertiary level hospital. Methodology: The study subjects were 53 children between 3 36 months of age who were consecutively admitted, then to the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research (IPGM R), presently Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), with diarrhoea lasting for 14 days, during June 1988 to December 1989. Data on clinical characteristics on admission and during hospital stay, anthropometry, dietary habit, stool characteristics, duration of hospital stay, socioeconomic status and potential risk factors for persistent diarrhoea and the management given were collected and documented in structured forms. Bivariate analysis was done using SPSS 10. Results: The mean (±SD) age was 10.72 (±7.93) months and malefemale ratio 2.1:1 (P 0.05). Significantly higher number of subjects had inappropriate weaning history (77.4%), second and third degree malnutrition (86%) and came from family size with ^3 5 members (75%) and monthly income £Tk2000 (70%). Stool character was watery (P 0.05), noninvasive (P 0.01) and reducing substances present (P 0.01) in a significantly higher number of subjects. Conclusion: This study has identified important clinical characteristics and risk variables of PD. Early and appropriate management of acute diarrhoeal episodes can decrease (episodes) of PD as well as referral.