Vol. 1, Issue 6 (2012)

Background: Diarrheal diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five, particularly in low-resource settings. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics, nutritional status, and outcomes of pediatric diarrhea cases in a tertiary care hospital in Rajasthan.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing hospital records of children under five years of age admitted with acute diarrhea from January to December 2011. Parameters analyzed included age, gender, hydration status, nutritional status, co-morbidities, treatment received, and outcomes.

Results: Out of 1,318 pediatric admissions in 2011, 242 (18.3%) were due to diarrheal diseases. The majority were children aged 6-24 months (61.2%). Dehydration was present in 76.4% of patients, with 21.5% having severe dehydration. Malnutrition was observed in 43.8% of cases. ORS and zinc supplementation were administered in 91.7% and 79.3% respectively. Average hospital stay was 3.2 days. Recovery was noted in 95.0% cases, while 2.5% mortality was reported, mostly in severely malnourished children.

Conclusion: Diarrheal diseases remain a major pediatric concern in Rajasthan. Nutritional rehabilitation, prompt rehydration therapy, and community education on sanitation and breastfeeding are vital to reducing disease burden and mortality.