Defining Pediatric Diarrhea in Low-Resource Settings

Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Gillian A LevinePatricia B Pavlinac

Abstract

Differences in definitions of acute pediatric diarrhea result in variable estimates of morbidity and mortality, treatment coverage, and associations with risk factors and outcomes. We reviewed published literature and guidelines focused on acute pediatric diarrhea in low- and middle-income countries. Clinical guidelines most commonly defined diarrhea in terms of quantity of loose or watery stool with consideration of normal stool patterns, whereas research studies often relied exclusively on a quantitative definition. The most commonly used quantitative definition, ≥3 loose or watery stools in a 24-hour period, has been compared to gold standards of caregiver perception and visual inspection of stool, with variable agreement. Age, breast-feeding status, and setting (facility vs household-based) influence the performance of quantitative diarrhea definitions in children. Universal adoption of a set of valid gold standard definitions specifically aligned with various programmatic and research goals will lead to more accurate coverage estimates and better-informed resource prioritization.

References

Apr 1, 1992·Journal of Tropical Pediatrics·M D BowieI D Hill
Dec 1, 1991·International Journal of Epidemiology·A H BaquiR B Sack
Sep 1, 1988·Annals of Tropical Paediatrics·H A el BushraA R el Tom
Jul 1, 1988·Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·L T WeaverL C Taylor
Jun 1, 1994·International Journal of Epidemiology·S S MorrisB R Kirkwood
Nov 3, 2005·Nature Clinical Practice. Gastroenterology & Hepatology·Emil C ReisingerGuenter J Krejs
Feb 12, 2008·European Journal of Pediatrics·Vildan Taylan TuncUfuk Beyazova
Mar 10, 2011·BMC Public Health·Sethson KassegneJerome Nzohabonayo
Apr 29, 2011·BMC Public Health·Laura M LambertiRobert E Black
Mar 23, 2012·BMC Public Health·Christa L Fischer WalkerRobert E Black
Apr 24, 2012·Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition·Jolanda den HertogMarc A Benninga
Nov 28, 2012·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·Tamer H FaragMyron M Levine
Aug 24, 2013·American Journal of Epidemiology·Stephanie A RichardUNKNOWN Childhood Malnutrition and Infection Network
Oct 12, 2014·Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·Stephanie A RichardUNKNOWN MAL-ED Network Investigators
Jul 24, 2015·The Lancet Global Health·James A Platts-MillsUNKNOWN MAL-ED Network Investigators

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 18, 2020·The Journal of International Medical Research·Fangfang QinJie Han
Dec 14, 2019·Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·Gabor MihalaRobert S Ware
May 8, 2020·Nature·Joseph A LewnardRamanan Laxminarayan
Nov 6, 2020·Pediatrics·Sally Grantham-McGregorKarishma Vats

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.