The Burden and Etiology of Diarrheal Illness in Developing Countries

Reductions in mortality from diarrheal diseases among young children have occurred in recent decades; however, approximately 500,000 children continue to die each year. Moreover, similar reductions in disease incidence have not been seen, episodes that impact the growth and development of young children. Two recent studies, MAL-ED and GEMS, have more clearly defined the burden and cause of diarrhea among young children, identifying four leading pathogens: rotavirus, CryptosporidiumShigella, and heat stable toxin-producing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Global introduction of rotavirus vaccine is poised to substantially reduce the incidence of rotavirus infection. Interventions are needed to reduce the burden that remains.