Child mortality is the death of children under the age of five. The child mortality rate (also under-five mortality rate) refers to the probability of dying between birth and exactly five years of age expressed per 1,000 live births.
66-541: It encompasses neonatal mortality and infant mortality (the probability of death in the first year of life). Reduction of child mortality is reflected in several of the United Nations ' Sustainable Development Goals . Target 3.2 states that "by 2030, the goal is to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age with all countries aiming to reduce under‑5 mortality to as low as 25 per 1,000 live births." Child mortality rates have decreased in
132-563: A Save the Children paper, children from the poorest households in India are three times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than those from the richest households. A systematic study reports for all the low- and middle-income countries (not including China), the children among the poorest households are twice as likely to die before the age of 5 years old compare to those in the richest household. A large team of researchers published
198-657: A defense mechanism". The following types of diarrhea may indicate further investigation is needed: A severity score is used to aid diagnosis in children. When diarrhea lasts for more than four weeks a number of further tests may be recommended including: A 2019 guideline recommended that testing for ova and parasites was only needed in people who are at high risk though they recommend routine testing for giardia . Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were not recommended. Worldwide in 2004, approximately 2.5 billion cases of diarrhea occurred, which resulted in 1.5 million deaths among children under
264-465: A fetus after 20 weeks of gestation or 500 gm. In some definitions of the PNM early fetal mortality (week 20–27 gestation) is not included, and the PNM may only include late fetal death and neonatal death. Fetal death can also be divided into death prior to labor , antenatal (antepartum) death, and death during labor, intranatal (intrapartum) death. Neonatal mortality refers to death of a live-born baby within
330-470: A few cases such as those who have bloody diarrhea and a high fever, those with severe diarrhea following travelling , and those who grow specific bacteria or parasites in their stool. Loperamide may help decrease the number of bowel movements but is not recommended in those with severe disease. About 1.7 to 5 billion cases of diarrhea occur per year. It is most common in developing countries , where young children get diarrhea on average three times
396-689: A frequent cause. In the elderly, particularly those who have been treated with antibiotics for unrelated infections, a toxin produced by Clostridioides difficile often causes severe diarrhea. Parasites, particularly protozoa e.g., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Entamoeba histolytica , Blastocystis spp., Cyclospora cayetanensis , are frequently the cause of diarrhea that involves chronic infection. The broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent nitazoxanide has shown efficacy against many diarrhea-causing parasites. Other infectious agents, such as parasites or bacterial toxins, may exacerbate symptoms. In sanitary living conditions where there
462-413: A high glucose content are more absorbable and less likely to cause diarrhea. Sugar alcohols such as sorbitol (often found in sugar-free foods) are difficult for the body to absorb and, in large amounts, may lead to osmotic diarrhea. In most of these cases, osmotic diarrhea stops when the offending agent (e.g., milk or sorbitol) is stopped. Exudative diarrhea occurs with the presence of blood and pus in
528-410: A high stage of DTM. From 2000 to 2010, child mortality has dropped from 9.6 million to 7.6 million. In order to reduce child mortality rates, there need to be better education, higher standards of healthcare and more caution in childbearing. Child mortality could be reduced by attendance of professionals at birth and by breastfeeding and through access to clean water, sanitation, and immunization. In 2016,
594-418: A hygienic birthing environment, drying and wrapping the baby immediately after birth, providing necessary warmth and promoting immediate and continued breastfeeding, immunization, and treatment of infections with antibiotics - could save the lives of 3 million newborns annually. Improved sanitation and access to clean drinking water can reduce childhood infections and diarrhea. As of 2017, approximately 26% of
660-435: A liquid, or "loose", bowel movement. Acute diarrhea is most commonly due to viral gastroenteritis with rotavirus , which accounts for 40% of cases in children under five. In travelers , however, bacterial infections predominate. Various toxins such as mushroom poisoning and drugs can also cause acute diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea can be the part of the presentations of a number of chronic medical conditions affecting
726-518: A major study on the global distribution of child mortality in Nature in October 2019. It was the first global study that mapped child death on the level of subnational district (17,554 units). The study was described as an important step to make action possible that further reduces child mortality. The child survival rate of nations varies with factors such as fertility rate and income distribution ;
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#1732798244259792-402: A number of medications. In most cases, stool cultures to confirm the exact cause are not required. Diarrhea can be prevented by improved sanitation , clean drinking water , and hand washing with soap. Breastfeeding for at least six months and vaccination against rotavirus is also recommended. Oral rehydration solution (ORS)—clean water with modest amounts of salts and sugar —is
858-464: A population, especially in the absence of water filtration or purification. Human feces contains a variety of potentially harmful human pathogens . Proper nutrition is important for health and functioning, including the prevention of infectious diarrhea. It is especially important to young children who do not have a fully developed immune system. Zinc deficiency , a condition often found in children in developing countries can, even in mild cases, have
924-414: A result, if it is stopped, there might be a delay in recovery. They cite in support of this argument research published in 1973 that found that treating Shigella with the anti-diarrhea drug (Co-phenotrope, Lomotil ) caused people to stay feverish twice as long as those not so treated. The researchers indeed themselves observed that: "Lomotil may be contraindicated in shigellosis. Diarrhea may represent
990-435: A series of tests of intelligence. Diarrhea can cause electrolyte imbalances , kidney impairment , dehydration , and defective immune system responses. When oral drugs are administered, the efficiency of the drug is to produce a therapeutic effect and the lack of this effect may be due to the medication travelling too quickly through the digestive system, limiting the time that it can be absorbed. Clinicians try to treat
1056-438: A significant impact on the development and proper functioning of the human immune system. Indeed, this relationship between zinc deficiency and reduced immune functioning corresponds with an increased severity of infectious diarrhea. Children who have lowered levels of zinc have a greater number of instances of diarrhea, severe diarrhea, and diarrhea associated with fever. Similarly, vitamin A deficiency can cause an increase in
1122-806: A week over the previous three months. Symptoms of diarrhea-predominant IBS can be managed through a combination of dietary changes, soluble fiber supplements and medications such as loperamide or codeine . About 30% of patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS have bile acid malabsorption diagnosed with an abnormal SeHCAT test. Diarrhea can be caused by other diseases and conditions, namely: Over 700 medications, such as penicillin , are known to cause diarrhea. The classes of medications that are known to cause diarrhea are laxatives, antacids, heartburn medications, antibiotics, anti-neoplastic drugs, anti-inflammatories as well as many dietary supplements. According to two researchers, Nesse and Williams , diarrhea may function as an evolved expulsion defense mechanism. As
1188-607: A year will prevent blindness and death. Although vitamin A supplementation has been shown to reduce all-cause mortality by 12 to 24 per cent but only 70 per cent of targeted children were reached in 2015. Between 250,000 and 500,000 children become blind every year with 70 percent of them dying within 12 months. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is an effective treatment for lost liquids through diarrhea; yet only 4 in 10 (44 per cent) of children diagnosed with diarrhea are treated with ORT. Essential newborn care - including immunizing mothers against tetanus, ensuring clean delivery practices in
1254-484: A year. Total deaths from diarrhea are estimated at 1.53 million in 2019—down from 2.9 million in 1990. In 2012, it was the second most common cause of deaths in children younger than five (0.76 million or 11%). Frequent episodes of diarrhea are also a common cause of malnutrition and the most common cause in those younger than five years of age. Other long term problems that can result include stunted growth and poor intellectual development. The word diarrhea
1320-430: Is isotonic with plasma even during fasting. It continues even when there is no oral food intake. Osmotic diarrhea occurs when too much water is drawn into the bowels. If a person drinks solutions with excessive sugar or excessive salt, these can draw water from the body into the bowel and cause osmotic diarrhea. Osmotic diarrhea can also result from maldigestion (e.g., pancreatic disease or coeliac disease ) in which
1386-459: Is a field of public health concerned with reducing child mortality. Child survival interventions are designed to address the most common causes of child deaths that occur, which include diarrhea , pneumonia , malaria , and neonatal conditions. Out of the number of children under the age of 5 alone, an estimated 5.6 million children die each year mostly from such preventable causes. The child survival strategies and interventions are in line with
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#17327982442591452-646: Is a symptom of, among others, Shigella , Entamoeba histolytica , and Salmonella . Diarrheal disease may have a negative impact on both physical fitness and mental development. "Early childhood malnutrition resulting from any cause reduces physical fitness and work productivity in adults", and diarrhea is a primary cause of childhood malnutrition. Further, evidence suggests that diarrheal disease has significant impacts on mental development and health; it has been shown that, even when controlling for helminth infection and early breastfeeding, children who had experienced severe diarrhea had significantly lower scores on
1518-479: Is ample food and a supply of clean water, an otherwise healthy person usually recovers from viral infections in a few days. However, for ill or malnourished individuals, diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration and can become life-threatening. Open defecation is a leading cause of infectious diarrhea leading to death. Poverty is a good indicator of the rate of infectious diarrhea in a population. This association does not stem from poverty itself, but rather from
1584-442: Is an increase in the active secretion, or there is an inhibition of absorption. There is little to no structural damage. The most common cause of this type of diarrhea is a cholera toxin that stimulates the secretion of anions , especially chloride ions (Cl ). Therefore, to maintain a charge balance in the gastrointestinal tract , sodium (Na ) is carried with it, along with water. In this type of diarrhea intestinal fluid secretion
1650-584: Is best known in humans, it affects many other species, notably among primates . The cecal appendix , when present, appears to afford some protection against diarrhea to young primates. Numerous studies have shown that improvements in drinking water and sanitation ( WASH ) lead to decreased risks of diarrhoea. Such improvements might include for example use of water filters, provision of high-quality piped water and sewer connections. In institutions, communities, and households, interventions that promote hand washing with soap lead to significant reductions in
1716-539: Is defined by the World Health Organization as having three or more loose or liquid stools per day, or as having more stools than is normal for that person. Acute diarrhea is defined as an abnormally frequent discharge of semisolid or fluid fecal matter from the bowel, lasting less than 14 days, by World Gastroenterology Organization . Acute diarrhea that is watery may be known as AWD (Acute Watery Diarrhoea.) Secretory diarrhea means that there
1782-674: Is from the Ancient Greek διάρροια from διά dia "through" and ῥέω rheo "flow". Diarrhea is the spelling in American English , whereas diarrhoea is the spelling in British English . Slang terms for the condition include "the runs", "the squirts" (or "squits" in Britain ) and "the trots". The word is often pronounced as / ˌ d aɪ ə ˈ r iː ə / DY -ə- REE -ə . Diarrhea
1848-645: Is infected. The three types of diarrhea are: short duration watery diarrhea, short duration bloody diarrhea, and persistent diarrhea (lasting more than two weeks, which can be either watery or bloody). The short duration watery diarrhea may be due to cholera , although this is rare in the developed world. If blood is present, it is also known as dysentery . A number of non-infectious causes can result in diarrhea. These include lactose intolerance , irritable bowel syndrome , non-celiac gluten sensitivity , celiac disease , inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis , hyperthyroidism , bile acid diarrhea , and
1914-479: Is not only caused by infection and disorder, it is also caused by premature birth, birth defect, new born infection, birth complication and diseases like malaria , sepsis, and diarrhea. In less developed countries, malnutrition is the main cause of child mortality. Pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria together are the cause of one out of every three deaths before the age of 5 while nearly half of under-five deaths globally are attributable to under-nutrition. Child survival
1980-536: Is the most common cause in children under five years old. Adenovirus types 40 and 41, and astroviruses cause a significant number of infections. Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli , such as E coli o157:h7 , are the most common cause of infectious bloody diarrhea in the United States. Campylobacter spp. are a common cause of bacterial diarrhea, but infections by Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and some strains of Escherichia coli are also
2046-434: Is the most common cause of perinatal mortality, causing almost 30 percent of neonatal deaths. Infant respiratory distress syndrome , in turn, is the leading cause of death in preterm infants, affecting about 1% of newborn infants. Birth defects cause about 21 percent of neonatal death. Some major causes of perinatal mortality rate is: Fetal mortality refers to stillbirths or fetal death. It encompasses any death of
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2112-657: Is variation of child mortality around the world. Countries that are in the second or third stage of the Demographic Transition Mode ( DTM ) have higher rates of child mortality than countries in the fourth or fifth stage. Chad infant mortality is about 96 per 1,000 live births compared to only 2.2 per 1,000 live births in Japan . In 2010, there was a global estimate of 7.6 million child deaths especially in less developed countries and among those, 4.7 million died from infection and disorder. Child mortality
2178-528: The Democratic Republic of the Congo , Ethiopia and China . India and Nigeria alone account for almost a third (32 per cent) of the global under-five deaths. Within low- and middle-income countries, there is also substantial variation in child mortality rates across administrative divisions . Likewise, there are disparities between wealthy and poor households in developing countries. According to
2244-616: The United States Agency for International Development . In the United States, most non-governmental child survival agencies belong to the CORE Group , a coalition working through collaborative action to save the lives of young children in the world's poorest countries. Substantial global progress has been made in reducing child deaths since 1990. The total number of under-5 deaths worldwide has declined from 12.6 million in 1990 to approximately 5.5 million in 2020. Since 1990,
2310-470: The Democratic Republic of the Congo. 45% of these children died during the first 28 days of life. Death rates were highest among children under age 1, followed by children ages 15 to 19, 1 to 4 and 5 to 14. Child mortality refers to number of child deaths under the age of 5 per 1,000 live births. More specific terms include: The leading causes of death of children under five include: There
2376-610: The age of five. Greater than half of these were in Africa and South Asia. This is down from a death rate of 4.5 million in 1980 for gastroenteritis. Diarrhea remains the second leading cause of infant mortality (16%) after pneumonia (17%) in this age group. The majority of such cases occur in the developing world, with over half of the recorded cases of childhood diarrhea occurring in Africa and Asia , with 696 million and 1.2 billion cases, respectively, compared to only 480 million in
2442-419: The bloodstream via the intestinal tract in the small intestine. Prior to defecation, the large intestine reabsorbs the water and other digestive solvents in the waste product in order to maintain proper hydration and overall equilibrium. Diarrhea occurs when the large intestine is prevented, for any number of reasons, from sufficiently absorbing the water or other digestive fluids from fecal matter, resulting in
2508-478: The change in distribution shows a strong correlation between child survival and income distribution as well as fertility rate where increasing child survival allows the average income to increase as well as the average fertility rate to decrease. Child mortality unlike mortality throughout other ages actually dropped in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. Children were among the lowest group of deaths in
2574-447: The children who die each year could be saved by low-tech, evidence-based, cost-effective measures such as vaccines , antibiotics , micronutrient supplementation, insecticide-treated bed nets, improved family care and breastfeeding practices, and oral rehydration therapy . Empowering women, removing financial and social barriers to accessing basic services, developing innovations that make the supply of critical services more available to
2640-455: The conditions under which impoverished people live. The absence of certain resources compromises the ability of the poor to defend themselves against infectious diarrhea. "Poverty is associated with poor housing, crowding, dirt floors, lack of access to clean water or to sanitary disposal of fecal waste ( sanitation ), cohabitation with domestic animals that may carry human pathogens, and a lack of refrigerated storage for food, all of which increase
2706-637: The diarrheas by reducing the dosage of medication, changing the dosing schedule, discontinuation of the drug, and rehydration. The interventions to control the diarrhea are not often effective. Diarrhea can have a profound effect on the quality of life because fecal incontinence is one of the leading factors for placing older adults in long term care facilities (nursing homes). In the latter stages of human digestion, ingested materials are inundated with water and digestive fluids such as gastric acid , bile , and digestive enzymes in order to break them down into their nutrient components, which are then absorbed into
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2772-423: The first 28 days of life. Early neonatal mortality refers to the death of a live-born baby within the first seven days of life, while late neonatal mortality refers to death after 7 days until before 28 days. Some definitions of the PNM include only the early neonatal mortality. Neonatal mortality is affected by the quality of in-hospital care for the neonate . Neonatal mortality and postneonatal mortality (covering
2838-970: The fourth Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which focused on reducing child mortality by 2/3 of children under five before the year 2015. In 2015, the MDGs were replaced with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to end these deaths by 2030. In order to achieve SDG targets, progress must be accelerated in more than 1/4 of all countries (most of which are in sub-Saharan Africa) in order to achieve targets for under-5 mortality and in 60 countries (many in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia) to achieve targets for neonatal mortality. Without accelerated progress, 60 million children under age five will die between 2017 and 2030, about half of which would be newborns. China achieved its target of reduction in under-5 mortality rates well ahead of schedule. Two-thirds of child deaths are preventable. Most of
2904-504: The frequency of diarrhea ... Poverty also restricts the ability to provide age-appropriate, nutritionally balanced diets or to modify diets when diarrhea develops so as to mitigate and repair nutrient losses. The impact is exacerbated by the lack of adequate, available, and affordable medical care." One of the most common causes of infectious diarrhea is a lack of clean water. Often, improper fecal disposal leads to contamination of groundwater. This can lead to widespread infection among
2970-770: The global under-5 mortality rate has dropped by 59%, from 93 deaths per 1000 live births in 1990 to 36 in 2020. This is equivalent to 1 in 11 children dying before reaching age 5 in 1990 compared to 1 in 27 in 2019. The Sustainable Development Goals has set 2 new goals to reduce under-5 and newborn mortality. The goals set newborn mortality for 12 per 1,000 live births in every country and for under 5 mortality 25 per 1,000 livebirths in every country. In 2019, 122 countries met this and every 10 years, 20 more are expected to follow. World Health Organization (WHO) states they support health equity and universal health care so that all countries may have proper health care with no finances involved. Child mortality has been dropping as each country reaches
3036-429: The intestine. Common causes include ulcerative colitis , Crohn's disease , microscopic colitis , celiac disease , irritable bowel syndrome , and bile acid malabsorption . There are many causes of infectious diarrhea, which include viruses , bacteria and parasites. Infectious diarrhea is frequently referred to as gastroenteritis . Norovirus is the most common cause of viral diarrhea in adults, but rotavirus
3102-655: The last 40 years. Rapid progress has resulted in a significant decline in preventable child deaths since 1990 with the global under-5 mortality rate declining by over half between 1990 and 2016. While in 1990, 12.6 million children under age five died and in 2016, that number fell to 5.6 million children and then in 2020, the global number fell again to 5 million. However, despite advances, there are still 15,000 under-five deaths per day from largely preventable causes. About 80 percent of these occur in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and just 6 countries account for half of all under-five deaths: China, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia and
3168-467: The lives of millions of children per year. The UN Vaccine division as of 2014 supported 36% of the world's children in order to best improve their survival chances, yet still, low-cost immunization interventions do not reach 30 million children despite success in reducing polio , tetanus , and measles . Measles and tetanus still kill more than 1 million children under 5 each year. Vitamin A supplementation costs only $ 0.02 for each capsule and given 2–3 times
3234-587: The normal stretchiness of the skin and irritable behaviour. This can progress to decreased urination , loss of skin color , a fast heart rate , and a decrease in responsiveness as it becomes more severe. Loose but non-watery stools in babies who are exclusively breastfed , however, are normal. The most common cause is an infection of the intestines due to a virus , bacterium , or parasite —a condition also known as gastroenteritis . These infections are often acquired from food or water that has been contaminated by feces , or directly from another person who
3300-575: The nutrients are left in the lumen to pull in water. Or it can be caused by osmotic laxatives (which work to alleviate constipation by drawing water into the bowels). In healthy individuals, too much magnesium , vitamin C or undigested lactose can produce osmotic diarrhea and distention of the bowel. A person who has lactose intolerance can have difficulty absorbing lactose after an extraordinarily high intake of dairy products. In persons who have fructose malabsorption , excess fructose intake can also cause diarrhea. High-fructose foods that also have
3366-417: The other types of diarrhea can be found in this type of diarrhea. It can be caused by bacterial infections, viral infections, parasitic infections, or autoimmune problems such as inflammatory bowel diseases. It can also be caused by tuberculosis, colon cancer, and enteritis. If there is blood visible in the stools, it is also known as dysentery . The blood is a trace of an invasion of bowel tissue. Dysentery
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#17327982442593432-467: The perinatal period commences at 22 completed weeks (154 days) of gestation, and ends seven completed days after birth", but other definitions have been used. The UK figure is about 8 per 1,000 and varies markedly by social class with the highest rates seen in Asian women. Globally, an estimated 2.6 million neonates died in 2013 before the first month of age down from 4.5 million in 1990. Preterm birth
3498-428: The period starting a few weeks before birth and including the birth and a few weeks after birth." Variations in the precise definition of the perinatal mortality exist, specifically concerning the issue of inclusion or exclusion of early fetal and late neonatal fatalities. The World Health Organization defines perinatal mortality as the "number of stillbirths and deaths in the first week of life per 1,000 total births,
3564-490: The poor and increasing local accountability of health systems are policy interventions that have allowed health systems to improve equity and reduce mortality. In developing countries, child mortality rates related to respiratory and diarrheal diseases can be reduced by introducing simple behavioral changes such as handwashing with soap. This simple action can reduce the rate of mortality from these diseases by almost 50 per cent. Proven cost-effective interventions can save
3630-445: The populations. PNMRs vary widely and may be below 10 for certain developed countries and more than 10 times higher in developing countries. The WHO has not published contemporary data. Probiotic supplementation of preterm and low birthweight babies during their first month of life can reduce the risk of blood infections, bowel sickness and death in low- and middle-income settings. However, supplementing with Vitamin A does not reduce
3696-512: The potential for increased risk of disease contraction. Malabsorption is the inability to absorb food fully, mostly from disorders in the small bowel, but also due to maldigestion from diseases of the pancreas . Causes include: The two overlapping types here are of unknown origin: Another possible cause of diarrhea is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which usually presents with abdominal discomfort relieved by defecation and unusual stool (diarrhea or constipation ) for at least three days
3762-431: The region with the highest under-5 mortality rates in the world: All six countries with rates above 100 deaths per 1,000 live births are in sub-Saharan Africa, with Somalia having the highest under-5 mortality rates. Furthermore, approximately 80% of under-5 deaths occur in only two regions: sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. 6 countries account for half of the global under-5 deaths, namely, India , Nigeria , Pakistan ,
3828-422: The remaining 11 months of the first year of life) are reflected in the infant mortality rate . The PNMR refers to the number of perinatal deaths per 1,000 total births. It is usually reported on an annual basis. It is a major marker to assess the quality of health care delivery. Comparisons between different rates may be hampered by varying definitions, registration bias, and differences in the underlying risks of
3894-751: The rest of the world. Infectious diarrhea resulted in about 0.7 million deaths in children under five years old in 2011 and 250 million lost school days. In the Americas, diarrheal disease accounts for a total of 10% of deaths among children aged 1–59 months while in South East Asia, it accounts for 31.3% of deaths. It is estimated that around 21% of child mortalities in developing countries are due to diarrheal disease. The World Health Organization has reported that "deaths due to diarrhoeal diseases have dropped by 45%, from sixth leading cause of death in 2000 to thirteenth in 2021." Even though diarrhea
3960-450: The risk of death and increases the risk of bulging fontanelle, which may cause brain damage. Diarrheal diseases Diarrhea ( American English ), also spelled diarrhoea or diarrhœa ( British English ), is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements in a day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin with loss of
4026-432: The severity of diarrheal episodes. However, there is some discrepancy when it comes to the impact of vitamin A deficiency on the rate of disease. While some argue that a relationship does not exist between the rate of disease and vitamin A status, others suggest an increase in the rate associated with deficiency. Given that estimates suggest 127 million preschool children worldwide are vitamin A deficient, this population has
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#17327982442594092-415: The stool. This occurs with inflammatory bowel diseases , such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis , and other severe infections such as E. coli or other forms of food poisoning. Inflammatory diarrhea occurs when there is damage to the mucosal lining or brush border, which leads to a passive loss of protein-rich fluids and a decreased ability to absorb these lost fluids. Features of all three of
4158-541: The treatment of choice. Zinc tablets are also recommended. These treatments have been estimated to have saved 50 million children in the past 25 years. When people have diarrhea it is recommended that they continue to eat healthy food, and babies continue to be breastfed. If commercial ORS is not available, homemade solutions may be used. In those with severe dehydration, intravenous fluids may be required. Most cases, however, can be managed well with fluids by mouth. Antibiotics , while rarely used, may be recommended in
4224-400: The world average was 41 (4.1%), down from 93 (9.3%) in 1990. This is equivalent to 5.6 million children less than five years old dying in 2016. Huge disparities in under-5 mortality rates exist. Globally, the risk of a child dying in the country with the highest under-5 mortality rate is about 60 times higher than in the country with the lowest under-5 mortality rate. Sub-Saharan Africa remains
4290-450: The world due to Covid-19. About 3.7 million deaths occurred and only 0.4% of them occurred in adolescents under 20 years of age making about 13,400 deaths in adolescents. Out of that small proportion, 42% occurred in children under the age of 9 years old. Neonatal mortality Perinatal mortality ( PNM ) is the death of a fetus or neonate and is the basis to calculate the perinatal mortality rate . Perinatal means "relating to
4356-664: The world's population do not have access to basic sanitation and 785 million people use unsafe sources of drinking water. Agencies promoting and implementing child survival activities worldwide include UNICEF and non-governmental organizations ; major child survival donors worldwide include the World Bank , the British Government's Department for International Development , the Canadian International Development Agency and
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