Vol. 2, Issue 8, Part A (2016)

Abstract
Diarrhea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for children, although sparse data is available on the etiology of diarrhea in India. This study was conducted to determine main causes that underlie childhood diarrhea and related diseases. All children presenting with acute diarrhoea in the age group of below 5 years of age admitted in paediatric ward. In this study 6mnth to 1 year age group children were highly affected (47%) with no sex predilection. Among the common organisms isolated 55% were E. coli, 4.7% were K. pneumonia, 2%were enterococcus species, 1.4% were Shigella flexneri species. Association of fever presented in 100% of cases of of Shigella flexneri, 66.7% of enterococcus species presented with fever, 65.9% of E. coli followed by 57.1% of K. pneumoniae followed by commensals. This association of serum sodium and severity was significant. Uremia and metabolic acidosis were other common findings in our study. Cotrimoxazole showed highest resistance among all organisms.100%with Shigella flexneri, E. coli 63.4%, 57.14% K. pneumonia. This study will help us in better understanding of diarrheal disease. Emphasis should be given to behavioral factors, such as improved access to sanitation, promotion of young child feeding practices, hygienic practices, and implementation of vaccines against etiologic agents, which are the burden of disease severity and also malnutrition as a whole.