Association between diarrheal duration and nutritional decline: Implications for an empirically validated definition of persistent diarrhea

Nita Bhandari, Sunil Sazawal, John D. Clemens, Dharmendra K. Kashyap, Usha Dhingra, Maharaj K. Bhan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

In an empiric approach to develop the definition of persistent diarrhea, we evaluated the relationship between diarrheal duration and risk of ensuing clinically significant decline in nutritional status, in a cohort of 395 children <24 mo. Weights were obtained at the onset of diarrhea (wt I) and after three months interval (wt II). The occurrence of an adverse outcome (AO) was defined as a decline of in 5% NCHS weight for age (% WFA) between weights I and II or death in this interval. The risk of AO was similar for episodes of \ or >7 days while it was substantially higher in episodes with >14 days duration (45%) than for shorter duration episodes, relative risk (RR) =2.5 (p<0.001). Relative risk remained similar for duration thresholds of 21 (2.3) and 28 days (2.6). As episode durations greater than 14 days are associated with substantial elevation of the risk of clinically cogent sequelae, such episodes may be termed 'persistent' atleast in terms of poor prognostic expectations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)559-566
Number of pages8
JournalThe Indian Journal of Pediatrics
Volume61
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 1994

Keywords

  • Diarrhea
  • Nutrition
  • Persistent diarrhea

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Association between diarrheal duration and nutritional decline: Implications for an empirically validated definition of persistent diarrhea'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this