Effect of Dietary Intervention on Short-Term Weight Recovery and Electrolyte Correction in Hospitalized Children with Acute Diarrhea

Mahnoor Nadeem; Burhan Ahmad; Adnan Habib; Maisam Ali; Muhammad Ibrar; Humaira Jamal; Hiba Zehra; Saira; Muhammad Wasif Jamal

doi:10.61919/2f3mmk23

Authors

Mahnoor Nadeem Research Associate,ME3F Programme Pakistan by World Bank, Peshawar, Pakistan, Department of Human Nutrition, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan Author
Burhan Ahmad Clinical Dietitian, Fauji Foundation Hospital (FFH), Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Department of Human Nutrition, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan Author
Adnan Habib Research Assistant, Institute of public health and social sciences (IPH&SS)Khyber Medical health University Peshawar, Pakistan, Institute of Public Health, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan Author
Maisam Ali Clinical Dietitian, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Jhelum, Pakistan Clinical Dietitian, Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar, Pakistan , Department of Human Nutrition, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan Author
Muhammad Ibrar Department of Human Nutrition, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan Author
Humaira Jamal Department of Human Nutrition, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan Author
Hiba Zehra Clinical Dietitian, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Abbottabad, Pakistan Author
Saira Nutrition Assistant, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan Author
Muhammad Wasif Jamal Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/2f3mmk23

Keywords:

acute diarrhea; dietary intervention; children under five; electrolyte correction; nutritional status; Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Acute diarrhea remains a leading cause of malnutrition and electrolyte derangement among children under five years of age in low- and middle-income countries, yet evidence on the short-term impact of structured inpatient dietary interventions on anthropometric and biochemical recovery in Pakistani pediatric populations remains limited. Objective: To evaluate the effect of a structured dietary intervention on short-term weight recovery and serum electrolyte correction in children hospitalized with acute diarrhea. Methods: A single-arm, pre-post interventional study was conducted among 100 children aged 1–59 months admitted with acute diarrhea to a tertiary care pediatric ward in Peshawar, Pakistan. The dietary intervention comprised locally available semi-solid foods (mashed banana, rice-lentil preparation, yogurt) administered alongside standard rehydration and zinc supplementation. Body weight and serum sodium, potassium, chloride, and hemoglobin levels were measured at admission and discharge. Paired-samples t-tests with 95% confidence intervals and Cohen's d effect sizes were computed. Results: Mean body weight increased from 7.14 ± 1.22 kg to 7.39 ± 1.18 kg (mean difference 0.25 kg; 95% CI: 0.19–0.31; p < 0.001; d = 0.81). Serum potassium rose from 3.20 ± 0.50 to 3.99 ± 0.41 mEq/L (p < 0.001; d = 1.73), chloride from 98.5 ± 4.2 to 102.3 ± 3.1 mEq/L (p < 0.001; d = 1.03), and sodium from 135.2 ± 3.8 to 138.7 ± 2.9 mEq/L (p = 0.031; d = 1.03). Hemoglobin remained unchanged (p = 0.42). Conclusion: The structured dietary intervention, combined with standard rehydration and zinc supplementation, was associated with significant short-term weight recovery and electrolyte normalization; however, the absence of a control group limits causal inference, and randomized controlled trials with extended follow-up are warranted

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