EPIDEMIC DIARRHEA IN PREMATURE AND OLDER INFANTS CAUSED BY ECHO VIRUS TYPE 18

Abstract

Two related outbreaks of diarrhea among infants from whom it was possible to isolate a virus clearly responsible for the illness represent the first proved instances of such etiology. Clinically, the disease was not severe. The diarrhea persisted from one to five days, with a mean duration of three days. The illness was treated by a reduction in caloric content of feedings, supplemented by the parenteral administration of water and electrolytes whenever indicated. After subsidence of the diarrhea, the babies were gradually returned to their normal formulas, without recurrence of disease.