SynthesisEBioMedicine2025
Global childhood diarrhoea prevalence and its determinants: a systematic meta-analytic assessment, 1985-2024.
Synthesis in EBioMedicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Dietary fiber in pediatric gastrointestinal health: a narrative review of evidence and challenges.Clinical and experimental pediatrics · 2026Review
- LEF1 gene mutation impairs the intestinal barrier and causes diarrhea.Molecular and cellular pediatrics · 2026Article
- Maternal exposure to intimate partner violence and its association with diarrhoea prevalence and treatment among children under five in Nepal.BMC public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundChildhood diarrhoea is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age. This study provides an analysis of global childhood diarrhoea prevalence, drawing on standardised, nationally representative survey data collected from 1985 to 2024.
methodsA systematic review of Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys conducted up to October 30, 2024, was undertaken, with findings reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses were conducted. Factor analysis was employed to construct a Socioeconomic and Child Nutrition Index, integrating socioeconomic, water, sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition indicators.
findingsThe analysis identified 593 relevant studies, estimating a global pooled mean childhood diarrhoea prevalence of 14.4% (95% CI: 13.8-15.0%) across all regions and time periods. Prevalence declined at a rate of 1% per year, falling from 22.3% in 1985-1989 to 10.9% in 2020-2024, with consistent declines observed in all regions except the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Prevalence was highest in the African Region and lowest in the European Region. Higher prevalence was observed in countries with larger household sizes, longer water collection times, and higher rates of underweight, stunting, and wasting. In contrast, lower prevalence was associated with higher levels of urbanisation, maternal education, population density, Human Development Index, income per capita, and access to improved water sources and sanitation facilities. A higher Socioeconomic and Child Nutrition Index was strongly and consistently associated with lower diarrhoea prevalence, demonstrating a dose-response relationship.
interpretationChildhood diarrhoea prevalence has declined over recent decades, apparently reflecting the synergistic effects of targeted public health interventions and broader socioeconomic progress in addressing upstream determinants of child health.
fundingThis work was supported by the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Biomathematics Research Core at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.
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