Diarrhea and malnutrition, research priorities: Research Priorities

Abstract

There have been many recent advances in our understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, mechanisms, and management of acute and chronic diarrheal disease. Many studies have investigated the role of diarrhea in producing or worsening malnutrition. However, the working group identified several areas of diarrhea-malnutrition interactions where current knowledge is incomplete or nonexistent. A set of general objectives for future research is given in Table I. First, it is. desirable to continue investigation of causative and contributory factors, both microbial and epidemiologic, that are important in the occurrence of acute and chronic diarrhea. It is imperative that such studies adopt new technologies, including viral and immunologic diagnostic methods. The investigation of the etiology of diarrhea' disease is most relevant in those parts of the world where malnutrition continues to be an important public health problem.