Prevention of infantile diarrhea: integrative literature review

Resumo

Abstract
Objective: to evaluate the evidence available in the literature on the prevention of infantile diarrhea. Method: this is an integrative review study considering the period from 2000 to 2010, in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, using the following descriptors: child, diarrhea, immunization, and prevention. Analytical axes were used for the prevention of diarrhea: socioeconomic conditions, vaccination, and breastfeeding. We selected 28 papers. Results: the studies showed that the increase in the families’ purchasing power, combined to the increased coverage of water supply and adequate sewage disposal, garbage collection, and health care services are related to the incidence of infantile diarrhea and its worsening. With regard to vaccination, the identification of rotavirus serotypes is crucial for the improvement of the vaccine in Brazil, as a means for preventing diarrhea. Exclusive breastfeeding until six months of life revealed itself as another important way of preventing the disease. Conclusions: although infantile diarrhea has been extensively explored in the literature reviewed, it became clear that in recent years there has been a decrease in the number of publications, although one finds out that it is still the cause of high infantile morbidity and mortality rates. Descriptors: pediatric nursing; diarrhea; infantile; review.