BackgroundDiarrhoea is one of the leading causes of infant mortality. This article analyzes its contribution towards the realization of millennium development goal number 4 (MDG-4).MethodsA PubMed search using keywords acute infant diarrhea together with prevalence, management, or prevention 23 of the 634 generated articles were reviewed for inclusion.ResultsWHO first expressed concern about diarrhoeal mortality in 1979. Two decades later it reported diarrhoea as the second leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. The annual death toll of 1.5 million is greater than AIDS, malaria and measles combined. Short term repercussions (dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, shock, death) plus long-term diminished fitness index, cognitive function, and school performance have major impact on society. Ever since its 1971 success, Oral Rehydration Therapy has been the cornerstone treatment of diarrhoea. Decreased compliance has been recorded worldwide with Kenya ranking first. Intravenous therapy is useful in preventing complications while anti-diarrhoeals and anti-microbials, are indicated in severe cases. Zinc supplementation has also proven effective, and is recommended along with rehydration. Furthermore, immunization and good hygiene prevent faecal-oral transmissions.ConclusionMDG-4 aims to reduce childhood mortality by 2/3 by 2015. Studies, however, show minimal progress, and the target is likely to be missed. Efforts must therefore be made to review existing strategies and formulate newer ones. Research priorities need to move away from perceived ‘killer diseases’ since far more children die in a day than have ever died from avian influenza for example.

The freeze dried extract of B. biternata possess significant antidiarrheal activity in both in vitro and in vivo models which appears to be mediated by modulating both the intestinal motility as well as the secretory activity. The results of this study also validate its traditional use as an antidiarrheal remedy.

Background: The deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) is a large caliber artery which branches laterally from the external iliac artery (EIA), directly opposite the origin of the inferior epigastric artery (IEA). Population variations have been reported in its origin, length, and branching patterns. These may alter its relationship to palpable surgical landmarks such as the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and the pubic tubercle (PT) which are used to locate the artery preoperatively, thus predisposing it iatrogenic injury. Despite this, there is paucity of data from the Kenyan setting. Study design: Cross-sectional study design. Objective: To determine the variations of the anatomy and bony landmarks of the Deep circumflex iliac artery in a select Kenyan population. Methods: A total of 104 DCIA from 52 formalin fixed adult cadavers were dissected to expose the DCIA, following which its vessel of origin and distance from the ASIS and PT, relation to the inguinal ligament (IL), length and branching patterns were noted. The average of the measurements were calculated. All data were collected and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007 (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA). Representative photos of the vessel and its variations were taken. Results: The DCIA was found to be present and bilaterally symmetrical in all cadavers. In all cases observed, it originated as a lateral branch from the EIA (100%), opposite the IEA and directly behind the IL in 98% of the cases. Its average distance from the ASIS along the IL was 7.28 ± 0.99, while it was 5.91 ± 1.03 from the pubic tubercle to its origin. Its length ranged from 3.7 cm to 9.5 cm, with an average length of 3.86 cm in the right limb and 3.67 cm in the left limb. As regards its branching patterns, in 78% of the cases, it bifurcated into the horizontal and ascending branches, in 6%, it trifurcated and in 4%, it divided into more than 3, exhibiting a fine tree-like branching (arborization). Conclusion: The DCIA in our setting exhibited variations from other settings and an increase in awareness of these variations will probably reduce future iatrogenic lesions of the DCIA and its major branches in Kenya.

Ethnopharmacological relevance of the study;Diarrhea remains one of the main killers of children aged below five years. Traditional antidiarrheal remedies form a potentially viable source of novel low cost efficacious antidiarrheal remedies in low resource settings. There is therefore a pressing to scientifically evaluate these remedies. Aim of the study;This study aimed to investigate the in vivo and in vitro antidiarrheal activity of Bidens biternata a herb species used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in the management of diarrhea. Materials and Methods;In the castor oil test twenty (20) adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to the negative control (normal saline), positive control (5 mg/kg loperamide), (200 mg/kg Bidens biternata extract) and (400 mg/kg Bidens biternata extract) groups (n=5 in each group). Castor oil (4 ml/kg) was then administered to the animals one hour after administration of the respective treatments after which the total mass of fecal output excreted after four (4) hours was determined.In the charcoal meal test fifteen (15) Sprague Dawley rats were randomized to the negative control (normal saline 5 ml/kg orally), the positive control (atropine sulphate 0.1 mg/kg i.p) and test (400 mg/kg Bidens biternata extract) groups (n=5). Charcoal meal