Dg. Schroeder et al., DIETARY-MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE DIARRHEA WITH LOCAL FOODS IN A GUATEMALANRURAL-COMMUNITY, Acta paediatrica, 86(11), 1997, pp. 1155-1161
A community-based, randomized trial was conducted to evaluate a locall
y available diet for the management of acute diarrhea (n = 99 episodes
) in 90 Guatemalan children, 4-42 months of age. The Test Diet (TD), a
combination of a semi-solid pap (maize flour, black beans, oil) and a
liquid gruel, Incaparina (maize hour, cotton seed flour, sugar), in a
ddition to breast-milk and other home foods (group TD, n = 45 episodes
) was offered for 14 d and compared to usual home feeding (group HF, n
= 54 episodes). Diarrhea episodes after admission were significantly
shorter for group TD (median 2.0 d) than group HF (median 4.4 d, p = 0
.003) after adjusting for potential confounders. Weight gains did not
differ significantly between groups. We conclude that community-based
dietary management of acute childhood diarrhea using energy-dense, loc
ally available foods is feasible and may shorten diarrhea duration. Th
is may encourage mothers to follow recommendations for continued feedi
ng during diarrhea in developing country environments.