Diarrheal Diseases
THE CHALLENGE
About 15% (1.5 - 2.5 million) of worldwide childhood deaths are attributed to diarrheal diseases. The overall incidence rate of diarrhea among children has changed little in the last 30 years. It is estimated that children aged 6-11 months have approximately 5 diarrheal episodes per year, and children aged 1-5 years have an average of 2.6 annual episodes.
KEY INTERVENTIONS
Recent reductions in mortality from diarrheal diseases among children are primarily the result of the improved availability and use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) to prevent and treat dehydration due to acute watery diarrhea. Since 2004, WHO and UNICEF have recommended a new low-osmolarity oral rehydration solution (ORS) and zinc supplementation as part of ORT.Exclusive breastfeeding for infants is also an important preventative step because it eliminates exposure to diarrhea through other liquids and foods, and contains anti-infection factors.
