Nutritional implications and physiologic response to pediatric diarrhea.

As depicted in Figure 1 acute diarrhea causes the host to undergo a sequence of hormonal, metabolic and immunologic responses, all of which have a nutritional cost. The impact will be more significant in the debilitated or marginally nourished child. From a nutritional point of view this process of nutrient loss and redistribution has the potential for being exploited to the benefit of the host. Two treatment techniques could be used to improve the host response to infection. Nutrients which are essential for optimal immune function and which are rapidly being metabolized may be selectively replaced, while nutrients that the offending organism needs may be withdrawn or temporarily withheld. A better understanding of the physiologic response and nutritional consequences of diarrhea should permit us to further improve the outcome of this and other infectious diseases.