[Epidemiology of intestinal infection and operative rehydration strategy at the Mexican Institute of Social Security].

The purpose of the study was to analyze the trend of morbidity and mortality due to intestinal infections in children under the age of 1 (infants) and 1-4 years old (preschool children) among the population group covered by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) between 1983 and 1990. For this purpose, information was obtained from death certificates, outpatient consultation reports, and hospital discharges with a diagnosis of intestinal infections. Only direct beneficiaries of the IMSS were included in the study. Total and cause-specific mortality rates for infants and preschool children were calculated, as well as the incidence of intestinal infections in outpatient consultations and hospitalizations and case-fatality rates due to intestinal infections. During the study period, mortality rates among infant and preschool children decreased by 15% and 20%, respectively. A reduction in intestinal infections accounts for 73.2% of the decline in infant mortality and 62.6% of the decrease in mortality of preschool children. Incidence and case-fatality rates of intestinal infections also declined in both age groups. Lower morbidity and mortality rates may be due to the IMSS oral rehydration program and to the fact that most of the population group studied lives in cities and has received basic education. Notwithstanding, obstacles to further reducing the incidence of these diseases still exist.