Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: The purpose of this research is to ascertain the clinical and demographic profile of diarrheal patients of paediatric age in order to better treat them. Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the Department of Pediatrics, after taking the approval of the protocol review committee and institutional ethics committee. The sample size was 200 with 2 groups A and B having 100 patients each. Only those infants and children who fulfilled inclusion criteria such as those aged between 6 months - 5 years, suffering from acute diarrhea and presenting to the Pediatric Department at this set-up for treatment; were included in the study. Results: Almost 41 (41%) and 31 (31%) patients in groups A and B respectively had continued breastfeeding during the study. In the remaining 59(59%) and 69(69%) group A and B patients respectively, breastfeeding was carried out till 1, 1.5, or 2 years. In group A, a majority of 55(55%) patients were not given bottle feeding while the remaining 45(45%) were given. Almost 60 (60%) patients were not given bottle-feeding whereas 40 (40%) were given in group B. Maximum patients 57(57%) of A and 51 (51%) of B group had no dehydration whereas remaining 43 (43%) and 49(49%) patients had some dehydration respectively. In group A, a maximum of 31 patients had no dehydration and malnutrition while 22 had no dehydration but mild malnutrition. Some dehydration with no malnutrition was noted in 11 patients while 15 and 17 patients with some dehydration had mild and moderate malnutrition respectively as shown in Table 4. In group B patients with no dehydration; 34, 15 and 2 patients had no, mild and moderate malnutrition respectively. Conclusion: The symptoms of having a fever and vomiting were almost often associated with having diarrhoea. Just a hair under half of the children’s who participated in the study exhibited some signs of dehydration.