Acute diarrhoeal disease in India and Indonesia

Acute diarrhoea is still a leading cause of child mortality and morbidity, second only to pneumonia as a killer of children, in India and Indonesia. Untreated diarrhoea precipitates malnutrition and is often the underlying cause of marasmus and kwashiorkor. Shigella and salmonella dysenteries are responsible for about 60% of all cases in Indonesia and India. These bacillary agents respond well to trimethoprim. Amoebiasis responds well to metronidazole. Most cases can be managed in the home, even if the exact cause is unknown, by giving liquids or a simple rehydration drink. Diarrhoea can be prevented by improving communal sanitation and personal hygiene, and by giving breast as opposed to bottle feeding of infants. Earlier introduction of supplementary feeding could provide the child with higher energy reserves giving it a better chance of survival when diarrhoeal insults occur.