Associated risk factors of gastroenteritis in infancy

Abstract Introduction Gastroenteritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a variety of symptoms like cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort and dehydration. This ailment can manifest in two forms: acute or chronic. Acute gastroenteritis typically resolves within two weeks, while chronic gastroenteritis may persist for a period ranging from 14 to 30 days. Significantly, gastroenteritis can affect individuals of all age groups and poses a significant health risk, particularly in children. Chronic gastroenteritis stands as a leading cause of childhood mortality, and diarrhea remains a widespread illness among children worldwide. Patients and Methods A study was conducted involving 200 children, comprising a hundred cases and a hundred controls, to investigate the issues linked to gastroenteritis in children within their first years of life. The cases included children diagnosed with gastroenteritis, while controls comprised healthy children. To ensure the study's accuracy, children admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or severely ill due to conditions other than gastroenteritis were excluded from the cases. Similarly, the control group consisted of children without any underlying diseases. Results A notable disparity emerged in various factors, including patient age, gender, maternal education, family structure, socioeconomic status and household income. These findings suggest that less education at home, unfavorable socioeconomic status, and restricted family income are potential risk factors associated with the development of gastroenteritis. Furthermore, the study also revealed significant distinctions in aspects related to child health, such as feeding patterns, the daily intake of meals, maternal responses to a child's diarrhea, consumption of boiled water, the child's penchant for consuming unpreserved food items, and the practice of sterilizing feeding equipment.