Acute Gastroenteritis: A Leading Cause Of Illness In Children

Chapter One: Introduction 2

1.1. Introduction:

Lammert et al., (2013) stated that acute gastroenteritis is a leading cause of illness in children younger than 5 years is defined as a sudden increase in frequency and a change in consistency of stools, often caused by an infectious agent in GI tract. It may be associated with upper respiratory or urinary tract infections, antibiotic therapy or laxative use.

Ball and Bindler, 2008 refered that the acute Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that may be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. It can affect any part of the GI tract.

Marino et al., (2004) defined "Diarrhea is as an increase in the

In the united states, the incidence of diarrhea varies between (1 to 2.5) diarrheal episodes per child per year, leading to approximately 38 million cases (2-3.7) million physician visits, 220,000 hospitalizations, and (325-425) deaths annually.

McKinney et al., (2000) reported that the "diarrhea one of the most common disorders in childhood, is defined as an increase fluidity, and volume of stools". In the united states, children younger than 5 years experience (20-35) million episodes of diarrhea, with more than 200,000 hospitalization per year.

Lawrence, (1994) reported that "bouts of diarrhea and intestinal tract disease are much less common in breastfed infants than in bottle-fed infants, but when they occur, the infant should be maintained on the breast if possible". Human milk is a physiologic solution that normally causes neither dehydration nor hypernatremia. Occasionally, an infant will have diarrhea or an intestinal upset because of something in the mother's diet. It is usually self-limited, and the best treatment is to continue to nurse at the