STUDY OF RISK FACTORS AND OUTCOME MEASURES ASSOCIATED WITH PROCUREMENT OF DIARRHEA IN INFANTS PRESENTING IN PEDIATRICS WARD OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY OVER A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS

Introduction: Diarrhea has significant morbidity and mortality in children <5 years of age. Reducing risk factors and improving healthcare measures can decrease diarrheal morbidity and mortality. Objective: To determine the risk factors associated with diarrhea and outcome measures such as morbidity and mortality in infants presenting in the Pediatrics ward of Mayo Hospital Lahore. Study Design: Analytical Cross-Sectional, Study Duration and Place: The study was conducted for a 3-month duration in Community Medicine Department, KEMU Lahore. Subjects and Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at the Pediatrics department of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. 78 children were selected based laid down inclusion criteria. Data was collected through a pretested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 23. Results: 55% of the parents reported an episode of diarrhea in the child within 2 weeks before questioning. Among the children, 49% were being breastfed exclusively. 95% of parents affirmed a positive relationship between hygiene and diarrhea. The most commonly reported response to diarrhea was taking a child to a doctor (55%), followed by giving ORS and/or meshed foods (42%). Recent weight loss was reported in 53% of the patients, with a significant correlation between weight loss and history of diarrhea. There were 53% confirmed cases who had received Rotavirus vaccination. Conclusion: Our study concluded that there is a significant relation between diarrheal disease in infants