J R Soc Health. 1990 Oct; 110(5): 164-5.

Child feeding by Nigerian mothers during acute diarrhoeal illness.

Ekanem EE, Akitoye CO.

Department of Community Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

A study was conducted among mothers in a suburban community in Lagos to ascertain child feeding patterns during episodes of diarrhoea. Two hundred women with children of 6 to 36 months were selected randomly from 672 who were participating in a diarrhoea surveillance study. The vast majority restricted the consumption of yams and sugar (greater than 90%) and substantial numbers (40/50%) restricted bread and rice. On the other hand other carbohydrate foods were increased--plantain (73%) ogi-maize pap (53%) amala (56%). Of the protein foods the vast majority restricted beans (94%) and milk formula (69%) with 35% restricting meat but not fish. Few increased the intake of such foods. Beverages, fruit and vegetables were restricted by the majority; water intake was maintained. These dietary restrictions are apparently based on tradition but can have serious consequences.