Diarrhoea in Children – The Importance of ORS
- Safe drinking water
- Handwashing with soap
- Proper hygiene and sanitation
- Timely vaccinations
- Use of unsterilized feeding bottles
- Consumption of contaminated food
- Drinking unclean water
- Poor hand and nail hygiene
- Exposure to open/street food
- Lack of sanitation
- Consumption of unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months
- Providing clean, fresh food
- Avoiding stale food
- Drinking boiled or purified water
- Keeping food and water covered to prevent contamination
- Proper disposal of children’s excreta in toilets
- Handwashing with soap before feeding children
- 2 to 6 months: 10 mg per day for 14 days
- Above 6 months: 20 mg per day for 14 days
- Increasing awareness about diarrhoea prevention
- Improving access to ORS and zinc
- Strengthening treatment facilities
- Coordinating with various departments for sanitation and hygiene improvements
- Ensuring availability of ORS and zinc at the household level
- Strengthening health facilities to treat dehydration
- Raising awareness about prevention and management
- Implementing coordinated efforts across government departments
According to the World Health Organization, diarrhoea is the third leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 59 months worldwide. However, it is both preventable and treatable. Each year, 4,43,832 children under the age of five and 50,851 children between the ages of five and nine die due to diarrhoea. Safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and good hygiene practices can significantly reduce the risk of diarrhoeal diseases. Globally, approximately 1.7 billion children suffer from diarrhoea annually, making it the leading cause of malnutrition in children under five.
Although diarrhoea is a common illness, many fail to recognize its potential to be life-threatening. The primary cause of diarrhoea-related deaths is dehydration due to the loss of fluids and essential salts from the body. Fortunately, these deaths can be prevented through timely treatment. Raising awareness among families is crucial, as the health and well-being of children are in their hands.
World ORS Day & The Evolution of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT)
Every year, July 29 is observed as World ORS Day to highlight the significance of oral rehydration therapy (ORT). The concept of ORT has roots in ancient Indian medicine. Around 1500 BC, Sushruta recommended giving warm water or porridge mixed with rock salt and sugar to patients suffering from cholera. Over the centuries, ORT has evolved and has been scientifically validated as an effective treatment for dehydration caused by diarrhoea.
In 1971, Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis and his team revolutionized diarrhoeal treatment during a cholera outbreak in Bangladesh. At the time, cholera had a 30% mortality rate. ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) was distributed to patients, with fluid intake determined by their level of thirst. Of the 3,700 patients treated over eight weeks, only 125 died, reducing the mortality rate to 3.6%. This breakthrough gained global recognition, leading to the widespread acceptance of ORT as the primary treatment for diarrhoea.
Recognizing the importance of ORT, India launched the National Oral Rehydration Therapy Program in 1985-86. Despite this, diarrhoea still claims around 50,000 lives annually in India, with peak cases occurring during the summer and monsoon seasons.
Understanding Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or watery stools in a day. The key to preventing dehydration and death due to diarrhoea is timely administration of ORS and zinc tablets. It is also crucial to maintain adequate nutrition and continue breastfeeding during diarrhoea. Additional preventive measures include:
Causes of diarrhoea in Children
How to Prevent diarrhoea in Children
Using clean utensils
Practicing proper sanitation
Timely measles vaccination and vitamin A supplementation
Managing diarrhoea – The Importance of ORS and Zinc
Early intervention is key to preventing complications from diarrhoea. Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), coconut water, and salted rice gruel help replace lost fluids. Zinc supplementation is also essential as it restores appetite, body weight, and boosts immunity.
Zinc Dosage:
Zinc tablets dissolve easily in boiled water or breast milk for infants. ORS should be stored in a dry place and should not be used past its expiration date. If the ORS powder becomes hard, discard it and use a fresh packet.
In India, ORS and zinc are available for free at all government health institutions. For assistance, families can contact their local JPHN/ASHA worker.
Stop Diarrhoea Campaign 2024
To enhance efforts in controlling diarrhoea-related deaths, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare rebranded the Intensive Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) as the Stop Diarrhoea Campaign in 2024. This initiative emphasizes:
Key Targets & Achievements
National ORS coverage increased from 50.6% (NFHS IV, 2015-16) to 60%
Zinc coverage rose from 20.3% to 30.5% (NFHS V, 2019-21)
Goal: 90% ORS and zinc coverage by 2029
Campaign Objectives
The ultimate goal is zero child deaths due to diarrhoea. This campaign prioritises vulnerable areas such as urban slums, drought-prone regions, and flood-affected zones.
Key focus areas:
By strengthening awareness, treatment, and prevention strategies, we can drastically reduce diarrhoea-related mortality among children.
2024 Message: "Diarrhoeal diseases can be prevented by maintaining hygiene and using ORS."
