Major factors in diarrhoea related mortality among rural children.

During a period of 20 months, 1467 children suffered from 1663 diarrheal attack in a rural community of Haryana. As many as 23 diarrhoea related deaths were recorded. Although diarrheal attack /100children were similar in different nutritional groups (P>0.05), the case fatality rate (%) was higher In grade III (7.69; P<0⋅001) as compared to normal (0⋅32) and grades 1 (0⋅49) nod II (2⋅23) real malnutrition. The mortality was higher in protracted diarrhoea (P<0.001) than when the duration was <2wk (0⋅7%,). Twenty one (91⋅3%,) of the 23 children who died, had sought treatment from a practicing physician (6), hospital (6) or local dispensary. Oral rehydration therapy was used in 38⋅7 per cent of diarrhoeal episodes. Past malnutrition, protracted diarrhoeal illness and non-me of ORT appear to be Important associated factors In diarrhoeal mortality in a rural community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]