Diarrhoea : why children are still dying and what can be done

An international commitment to tackle childhood diarrhoea in the 1970s and 1980s resulted in a major reduction in child deaths. This came about largely through the scaling up of oral rehydration therapy, coupled with programmes to educate caregivers on its appropriate use. Today, only 39 per cent of children with diarrhoea receive the recommended treatment, and limited trend data suggest that there has been little progress since 2000. This report examines the latest available information on childhood diarrhoea. It analyses how well countries are doing in making key interventions available. It sets out a 7-point strategy for comprehensive diarrhoea control that includes a treatment package to reduce child deaths, as well as a prevention package to make a lasting reduction in the diarrhoea burden in the medium to long term. The two treatment elements are: fluid replacement to prevent dehydration and zinc treatments, which decrease the severity and duration of the attack. The prevention elements are: immunization against rotavirus and measles; early and exclusive breastfeeding and vitamin A supplementation; hand washing with soap; improved water supply quantity and quality; and promoting community-wide sanitation.