[Risk factors for the development of diarrhea in children of 6-36 months carrying enteropathogenic microbes (apropos of 130 cases observed in Lomé-Togo)].

Diarrhoea, an important cause of infant morbidity and mortality is a priority problem in developing countries. The diarrhoea is most often of infectious origin. This is an evaluation of the parameters susceptible of influencing the carrying of enteropathogenic agents and the apparition of diarrhoea in children 6-36 months of age living in urban and peri-urban areas in the tropics. The study concerns 130 children divided between well nourished and malnourished. To the parameter "nutritional status" most often used in the different studies one finds in the literature, we chose to add a combination of others regrouped under the categories of "type of feeding" and "environmental factors". In our socio-cultural context, these last two parameters are intimately linked to the mother who lives in symbiosis with her child at least until 36 months of age. At the end of the study we were able to put together the results of research on carriage of a large gamut of enteropathogenic agents (parasites, bacteria, viruses) with our chosen parameters. This allowed us observe all the interactions between these two variables, particularly relating to onset of diarrhoea. We were thus able to conclude that the factors characterizing "Food hygiene and environmental hygiene play the most important role whatever the nutritional status of child".