Nutritional Management of Acute Diarrhea in Infants and Children

摘要

The report on nutritional management of acute diarrhea in infants and children is written primarily for health professionals who will be advising on programs and policy related to nutrition and diarrhea therapy. The message is aimed at management of diarrhea in less-developed countries, but the information and technical insights are relevant to an understanding of diarrhea and its management throughout the world, and the recommendations hold equally well for children of all countries. The first chapter examines the nutritional consequences of acute diarrhea and the premise that continued feeding during diarrhea is not generally harmful and indeed can be highly beneficial. The second chapter presents general guidance for nutritional management, including comments on choice of foods, food preparation, frequency of feeding, and monitoring of therapy. The chapter also provides an overview of oral rehydration therapy, which is aimed at correcting electrolyte losses and maintaining fluid balance. The third chapter outlines research needs emerging from the subcommittee's literature review, and the last chapter summarizes the subcommittee's major findings, which include a recommendation to continue feeding during acute diarrhea.