American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 24, 872-875, Copyright © 1971 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Can small daily doses of antibiotics prevent the cycle of diarrhea, malabsorption, and malnutrition in children?

¹ From the Departments of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and the Baltimore City Hospitals, Baltimore, Maryland

The self-perpetuating cycle of diarrhea, malabsorption, and malnutrition is a prominent feature of protein-calorie malnutrition in children of underdeveloped areas. In attempts to interrupt this cycle we must consider the possibility that infectious enteritis is a major initiating event.

For nearly two decades, farm animals have had improved growth and vigor due to small daily doses of broad spectrum antibiotics. Altered intestinal flora and improved intestinal function may be the responsible mechanisms. Such therapy applied to children susceptible to protein-calorie malnutrition may provide a reasonable additional method of improving their growth and development.