Persistent diarrhoea
A child who has had diarrhoea for 14 days or more but who has no signs of dehydration is classified as having persistent diarrhoea.
Treatment
Special feeding is the most important treatment for a child with persistent diarrhoea. Feeding recommendations for persistent diarrhoea are given in more detail later in this Module. Box 5.7 summarises how a child with persistent diarrhoea should be treated. You can see that it is important to treat the child with the recommended dose of vitamin A. Zinc supplements should also be given.
Box 5.7 Treatment for persistent and severe persistent diarrhoea.
| Give vitamin A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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For MEASLES, MEASLES with EYE/MOUTH complications and PERSISTENT DIARRHOEA give three doses. ● Give first dose in clinic. ● Give two doses in the clinic on days 2 and 15. |
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For a child with SEVERE MALNUTRITION, SEVERE COMPLICATED MEASLES or SEVERE PERSISTENT DIARRHOEA give one dose in clinic and then refer. ● For a routine Vitamin A supplementation for children six months up to five years give one dose in clinic if the child has not received a dose within the last six months. |
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| AGE | VITAMIN A CAPSULES | ||
| 200,000 IU | 100,000 IU | 50,000 IU | |
| Up to 6 months | ½ capsule | 1 capsule | |
| 6 months up to 12 months | ½ capsule | 1 capsule | 2 capsules |
| 12 months up to 5 years | 1 capsule | 2 capsules | 4 capsules |