Acute Diarrhea
Main Article Content
Abstract
Acute diarrhea remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries, often resulting in significant fluid and electrolyte loss that may progress to severe dehydration. This case report describes a 10-year-old male presenting with watery stools six times per day for two days, accompanied by abdominal pain and nausea but without blood, mucus, or fever. Physical examination revealed an underweight nutritional status (BMI 13.9), normal vital signs, mild abdominal tenderness, and no signs of severe dehydration. The patient was diagnosed with acute diarrhea and managed with oral zinc supplementation, probiotics (Lactobacillus), and supportive therapy including adequate hydration and nutrition. The clinical course was favorable, with gradual resolution of symptoms. This case emphasizes the importance of early recognition and prompt management of acute diarrhea to prevent complications such as dehydration and malnutrition. Furthermore, it highlights the role of zinc supplementation and probiotic therapy as recommended by international and national guidelines. Early education of parents and caregivers remains essential to reduce the disease burden and mortality associated with pediatric diarrhea.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
1. Jayanto I, Ningrum VDA, Wahyuni W. Gambaran Serta Kesesuaian Terapi Diare Pada Pasien Diare Akut Yang Menjalani Rawat Inap Di Rsud Sleman. J Farm Medica/Pharmacy Med J. 2020;3(1):1.
2. Iqbal AF, Setyawati T, Towidjojo VD, Agni F. Pengaruh Perilaku Hidup Bersih dan Sehat Terhadap Kejadian Diare pada Anak Sekolah. J Med Prof [Internet]. 2022;4(3):271–9. Available from: https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=id&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=pengaruh+perilaku+hidup+bersih+dan+sehat+terhadap+kejadian+diare+pada+anak+sekolah+fikry&btnG=#d=gs_qabs&t=1696865304362&u=%23p%3D-wqQKeVhBzMJ
3. Gandhar JS, De UK, Kala A, Malik YS, Yadav S, ... Efficacy of microencapsulated probiotic as adjunct therapy on resolution of diarrhea, copper-zinc homeostasis, immunoglobulins, and inflammatory markers in serum …. Probiotics … [Internet]. 2022; Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12602-021-09862-9
4. Rollet M, Bohn T, Vahid F. Association between Dietary Factors and Constipation in Adults Living in Luxembourg and Taking Part in the ORISCAV-LUX 2 Survey. Nutrients. 2022;14(1).
5. Dewiasty E, Setiati S, Agustina R, Istanti R, Roosheroe AG, Abdullah M, et al. Comparisons of Characteristics and Nutritional Inadequacies in Indonesian Older Adults Consuming or Refraining from Dairy Products. Acta Med Indones. 2022;54(2):255–65.
6. Irsan IR, Fatimah N, Sadhana U, ... Treatment of Acute Diarrhea in Children Aged 1–5 Years Provided by Doctors in Surabaya. Folia Medica … [Internet]. 2023; Available from: https://scholarly.unair.ac.id/fk-fmi/vol59/iss2/4/
7. Kakar Z, Essazai AB, Ahmed SM, Ullah N, Jan P. Comparison of zinc-probiotic combination therapy to probiotic therapy alone in treating acute diarrhea in children. Pakistan Journal of Medical & …. 2022.
8. Cai Y, Wang X, Li C, Li F, Yan Z, ... Probiotics combined with zinc and selenium preparation in the treatment of child rotavirus enteritis [Internet]. American Journal of …. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; 2022. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8902533/
9. Kodam V. A comparative study of ors (oral rehydration solution) with probiotics versus ors with zinc as an adjunct therapy in pediatric acute diarrhoeal diseases [Internet]. Perspec Med Res. pimr.org.in; 2022. Available from: https://www.pimr.org.in/2021-vol9-issue-3/1047799pimr090307-2021-12-28-06-48.pdf
10. Huang R, Xing HY, Liu HJ, Chen ZF, ... Efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of acute diarrhea in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials [Internet]. … pediatrics. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; 2021. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8753473/
11. Rosyid RA, Arifin FF, Kristanto AY. Effectiveness of Zinc Therapy with Zinc-Probiotic Combination Therapy on the Duration of Diarrhea During Hospitalization at Mawaddah Medika Hospital in October …. Golden Ratio Data Summ [Internet]. 2025; Available from: https://www.goldenratio.id/index.php/grdis/article/view/1106
12. Ibna RR. Treatment and Management of Diarrhea in Children: A Literature Review. J Cahaya Mandalika ISSN 2721-4796 … [Internet]. 2024; Available from: https://ojs.cahayamandalika.com/index.php/jcm/article/view/2888
13. Sadiq F, Jan MS, Tariq M, Ullah I, ... Effect of zinc supplement on duration of acute watery diarrhea from 6 months to 5 year aged children. Prof … [Internet]. 2023; Available from: https://www.theprofesional.com/index.php/tpmj/article/view/7705
14. Hyder RT, Ahmed S, Ahmed A. Compare the Effect of Zinc–Probiotic versus Zinc Therapy in Acute Watery Diarrhea in Children [Internet]. KYAMC Journal. 2023. Available from: https://banglajol.info/index.php/KYAMCJ/article/download/64890/44107
15. Pokhrel N, Chaudhary S, Bhatta M, Rai B, ... A descriptive study on use of adjunctive therapies in children with acute diarrhea [Internet]. IJS Global Health. journals.lww.com; 2025. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijsgh/fulltext/2025/05000/a_descriptive_study_on_use_of_adjunctive_therapies.7.aspx?context=latestarticles
16. Ali AA, Naqvi SK, Hasnain Z, Zubairi MBA, ... Zinc supplementation for acute and persistent watery diarrhoea in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis [Internet]. Journal of Global …. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; 2024. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11622351/
17. Banerjee PG. … Z, manufactured by Eskag Pharma Pvt. Ltd. Kolkata, India: The Next Generation Oral Rehydration Solution with Probiotics and Zinc for Comprehensive Gut and … [Internet]. iajmr.org. Available from: https://iajmr.org/paper/vol1-issue1/01010105.pdf
18. Duarte PF, Chaves MA, Borges CD, Mendonça CRB. Abacate: Características, benefícios à saúde e aplicações. Cienc Rural. 2016;46(4):747–54.
19. Nabila E, Effendi RER. Management of acute gastroenteritis in elderly patients with Principles of Family Medicine Approach. J Medula Unila. 2023;13:363–71.