Nutritional Disorders and Diarrhea Becomes Comorbid of Covid-19 Cases in Children

In Indonesia, the comorbid cases of Covid-19 in children are unique compared to other countries

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Chairman of PB IDI, Daeng M Faqih said that nutritional disorders and diarrhea are comorbid or comorbid diseases that cause Covid-19 patients in children to die.

“In Indonesia, comorbidities in children are unique compared to other countries, so children in Indonesia have died many cases, for example pneumonia, dengue fever, nutritional disorders and diarrhea,” he said in an online conference entitled “Caring for Child Nutrition During a Pandemic”, Thursday (25 / 3).

Daeng said, the child mortality rate due to Covid-19 in Indonesia was the highest among Southeast Asian countries, China and the United States with 1.7 percent. So that children do not get diarrhea and maintain their nutritional needs, he advises parents to ensure that their food intake contains balanced nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, plus zinc, folic acid, and other micronutrients.

“In order for nutrients to be absorbed properly, the balance of microorganisms in the intestine, probiotics are important in food. With good probiotics, the balance of microorganisms will be good, nutrient absorption will also be good,” said Daeng.

On the same occasion, a doctor who graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Andalas as well as the Head of Medical KABLE Nutritionals Muliaman Mansyur said, in addition to providing healthy and balanced food, parents also need to provide additional appropriate nutrition because it can help increase the child’s immune system. The additional nutrients provided can be in the form of milk, vegetables, and fruits to support a healthier digestive tract, so that the good bacteria in it can form a more optimal immune system.

According to him, inulin food fiber can be one of the main weapons in maintaining the health of the child’s body as well as their growth and development.

“Dietary fiber inulin is a type of prebiotic that is high in fiber and low in calories and can be a useful nutritional choice for the digestive tract of children, especially since the digestive tract is often referred to as the second human brain,” said Muliaman.

Daeng added, a balanced diet consisting of macro nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, fat) and micro nutrients (vitamins and minerals) also needs to be combined with a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS) such as diligently washing hands, avoiding crowds, wearing masks, getting enough sleep. , keep physical activity, and low stress, most effective in helping the body fight viral infections and diseases.

“This is equally important for adults and children, especially in the current situation. Therefore, parents and family members need to really pay attention to the fulfillment of nutrition and also the daily activities of children,” he said.

source: Between

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