Associated factors of protracted diarrhea.

The associated factors in 80 children (less than 2 yrs) with protracted diarrhea (greater than 21 days duration) and weight loss were: secondary carbohydrate intolerance (36): enteric pathogens (non typhoidal salmonella (11), enteropathogenic E. coli 'EPEC' (6), giardia (4), and shigella (3); cow's milk protein intolerance (3), gluten intolerance (3); miscellaneous (5); and undiagnosed enteropathy (9). Three of the EPEC showed localised pattern of adherence in vitro with HEP-2 cells. Most patients with salmonella and EPEC had severe secretory diarrhea with large fecal sodium losses. All 6 patients who died had secretory diarrhea and very high fecal sodium. All but 4 patients could be effectively managed with a chicken puree-glucose-coconut oil based diet.