TITLE:
Management of Acute Diarrhoea in Children Aged 0 - 59 Months in the Paediatric Ward of the Ratoma CMC (Guinea)
AUTHORS:
Camara Salématou Hassimiou, Bah Fatoumata Binta, Barry Aissata, Diallo Mohamed Lamine, Bangoura M’mah Aminata, Bangoura Kaba, Diallo Fatoumata Binta, Kolié Ouo Ouo
KEYWORDS:
Diarrhoea, Child, Ratoma, Guinea
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.14 No.6,
November
21,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Acute diarrhoea is a real public health problem worldwide and is responsible for considerable mortality in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management of acute diarrhoea in children aged 0 - 59 months hospitalised in the paediatric ward of the Ratoma CMC. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study lasting 6 months, from 01 July to 31 December 2023, including all children aged 0-59 months admitted for diarrhoea lasting no more than 14 days and whose parents agreed to take part in the study. Sociodemographic, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary data were studied. Results: 79 children were seen for acute diarrhoea out of 330 consulted, i.e., a frequency of 23.9%. The age group 0 - 11 months was the most represented, at 54.4%. Males predominated: 62% with a sex ratio of 1.6. The average consultation time was 3 days, with extremes of 0 to 10 days. The number of bowel movements per day varied from 3 to 12. The stools were liquid in 82.27% of cases. All hospitalised children were dehydrated, with 68.4% suffering from moderate dehydration, 21.5% from mild dehydration and 10.1% from severe dehydration. Malaria was the condition most frequently associated with diarrhoea (27.8%). Malnutrition was found in only 2.5%. 82% of the children had received oral rehydration with ORS and 18% intravenous rehydration. Almost all the children (93.67%) had a favourable outcome. We recorded one case of death, a rate of 1.26%. Conclusion: Acute diarrhoea in children is one of the most frequent reasons for consultation in the paediatric department of the Ratoma CMC. Often accompanied by fever and vomiting, it is frequently observed in children aged 0 to 11 months, with a predominance of males. The overall management of acute diarrhoea in children involves improving people’s standard of living, combating faecal peril, drinking water consumption, promoting vaccination, the use of oral rehydration solutions and zinc, and training healthcare staff.