Determinants of dietary intake during childhood diarrhea and implications for appropriate nutritional therapy

Diarrheal diseases have a well recognized negative effect on children's growth, probably due in part to reduced dietary intake during illness. Previous studies have shown that the effects of diarrhea on dietary intake are greater among hospitalized children than among those observed in their homes. Breast milk intake does not change during diarrhea, however, so breast-fed children are less likely to reduce their total energy and nutrient intakes. Recent analyses of clinical studies found that acidosis and dehydration were most closely associated with reduced dietary intake of hospitalized patients. The implications of these and other studies for the dietary management of patients during and after diarrhea are discussed.