Background: Diarrhea-associated deaths among US children increased from the mid-1980s through 2006, particularly among infants. Understanding risk factors for diarrhea-associated death could improve prevention strategies.
Methods: Records of singleton infants with diarrhea listed anywhere on the death certificate were selected from the US Linked Birth/Infant Death data for the period, 2005 to 2007; characteristics of these infants were compared with those of infants who survived their first year.
Results: During 2005 to 2007, 1087 diarrhea-associated infant deaths were reported; 86% occurred among low birth weight (LBW, <2500 g) infants. Compared with normal birth weight (NBW, ≥2500 g) infants, LBW infants had a greater mortality rate (risk ratio: 91.9, 95% confidence interval: 77.4–109.0) and younger median age at death (7 versus 15 weeks, P < 0.0001). The most common codiagnoses for diarrhea-associated death among LBW and NBW infants were sepsis (26%) and volume depletion (20%), respectively. Among LBW infants, 97% of diarrhea-associated deaths occurred in inpatient settings, whereas 27% of NBW infant deaths occurred in outpatient settings and 5.3% in the decedent’s home. Male sex, black race, unmarried status and low 5-minute Apgar score (<7) increased mortality odds among LBW infants whereas, among NBW infants, low 5-minute Apgar score, black race, young maternal age (<25 years) and high birth order (third or more) increased mortality odds.
Conclusions: Efforts to reduce diarrhea-associated morality should focus on understanding and improving management of diarrhea in vulnerable LBW infants. For prevention of diarrhea-associated deaths in NBW infants, educating mothers who fit the high-risk profile regarding home hydration therapy and timely access to medical treatment is important.