Breast-feeding and food intake among children with acute diarrheal disease

Abstract

To quantitate reduced food intake during diarrhea and to assess possible means of promoting such intake, the 24-hr food and breast milk intakes of 41 children 6 to 35 months divided into three groups were measured. The energy and protein intake of 15 children hospitalized with acute watery diarrhea averaged 75 kcal/kg and 0.96 g/kg, respectively. The energy and protein consumption of another group of 15 children with diarrhea whose mothers received intensive education to promote food intake during hospitalization averaged 60.9 kcal/kg and 0.70 g/kg, respectively. These intake levels were significantly lower than 129.9 kcal/kg and 1.89 g/kg observed among healthy control children. These results suggest that child anorexia may be an important cause of reduced food intake during diarrhea. Anorexia was not overcome with intensive educational efforts. Breast milk was found to be important nutrient source with breast-fed children better protected against reduced intake during diarrhea.

PIP: The 24-hour food and breast milk intakes of 41 children age 6 to 35 months (divided into 3 groups) were measured in order to quantitate reduced food intake during diarrhea and to assess possible means of promoting such intake. The children had attended the International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh situated in Matlab thana. 1 group of 15 children received routine hospital care for diarrheal illness, including oral hydration. The mothers of a 2nd group of 15 children received intensive dietary education in addition to routine diarrhea therapy for the child. A 3rd group consisted of 11 healthy control children who accompanied their mothers to Matlab for surgical family planning services. The energy and protein intake of the 15 hospitalized children averaged 75/kcal/kg and 0.96 g/kg, respectively. The energy and protein consumption of the children whose mothers received intensive education averaged 60.9 kcal/kg and 0.70 k/kg, respectively. These intake levels were significantly lower than 129.9 kcal/kg and 1.89 g/kg observed among the control children. The findings suggest that child anorexia may be an important cause of reduced food intake during diarrhea, and intensive educational efforts failed to overcome anorexia. Breast milk was found to be an important nutrient source with breast-fed children better protected against reduced intake during diarrhea