Gastroenteritis among children in Riyadh: a prospective analysis of 254 hospital admissions

A prospective study was undertaken of 254 infants and children admitted with gastroenteritis to the Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period 1 September 1980 to 1 February 1981. Analysis of data showed that 80% of the admissions were less than one year of age. The peak incidence occurred in the 0-five months age group. 65.4% were on bottle feeding. The incidence of second- and third-degree malnutrition was 38.9%. Marasmus was the commonest type of severe malnutrition seen. Hypernatraemic dehydration occurred in 12.6% of the cases. The parasitic and bacterial isolation rate was 23.8%, salmonella and entero-pathogenic E. coli being the commonest organisms. The mortality rate was 9.1% and was higher among malnourished patients, those with hypernatraemia and in the younger age groups.