The rational use of drugs in the management of acute diarrhoea in children

Abstract

An estimated 4 million children under 5 years of age die annually as a direct result of diarrhoea, and many other from causes that are aggravated by diarrhoea. Adequate feeding during and after diarrhoeal episodes and timely action to prevent or treat dehydration could substantially reduce these numbers, yet the inappropriate or injudicious use of drugs frequently diverts attention and resources away from these meaures. A number of pharmaceutical agents have been, and continue to be, promoted for the treatment of acute diarrhoea. At best, many of these are of questionable therapeutic value, and at worst they may be positively harmuful. This book reviews experimental and clinical experience of the use of a range of these agents. Extensive evidence is cited in support of its conclusions- that use of adsorbents or of drugs purporting to reduce intestinal motility cannot be justified, and that paediatric use of antibiotics and antiparasitics should be strictly confined to cases of diarrhoea of specific etiology