It is estimated that Africa and South Asia comprise more than 80% of deaths from diarrhea in children. In fact, about 75% of the childhood deaths from diarrhea come from only 15 countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the proportion of deaths attributable to diarrheal illness among children less than 5 years of age was 13.2% in 2002. Half of these childhood deaths were due to chronic diarrheal causes.Worldwide, studies estimate that diarrheal illness affects 3 to 20% of children under the age of 5 with an incidence of 2.7 episodes of diarrhea per child-year. Developing nations experience higher burden of disease and mortality from chronic diarrhea in children compared to developed nations. In the United States, it is reported that 15 to 20% of young children have an episode of acute diarrhea each year. Compared to worldwide estimates, the United States has a lower incidence rate of chronic diarrhea in young children reported at 0.18 episodes per child year. In pediatrics, diarrhea is a common complaint making up 9% of U.S. hospital visits for children less than 5 years old. In contrast to resource-poor nations, resource-rich nations such as the United States experience less chronic diarrhea severity. In the United States, approximately a quarter of chronic diarrhea cases in young children seek medical care and less than 1% of cases are hospitalized. == References ==
Cavernous lymphangiomas
Composed of dilated lymphatic channels, cavernous lymphangiomas characteristically invade surrounding tissues. Cystic hygromas
Cystic hygromas are large, macrocystic lymphangiomas filled with straw-colored, protein-rich fluid. Hemangiolymphangioma
As suggested by their name, hemangiolymphangiomas are lymphangiomas with a vascular component.Lymphangiomas may also be classified into microcystic, macrocystic, and mixed subtypes, according to the size of their cysts. Microcystic lymphangiomas
Microcystic lymphangiomas are composed of cysts, each of which measures less than 2 cm3 in volume. Macrocystic lymphangiomas
Macrocystic lymphangiomas contain cysts measuring more than 2 cm3 in volume. Mixed lymphangiomas
Lymphangiomas of the mixed type contain both microcystic and macrocystic components.Finally, lymphangiomas may be described in stages, which vary by location and extent of disease. In particular, stage depends on whether lymphangiomas are present above or superior to the hyoid bone (suprahyoid), below or inferior to the hyoid bone (infrahyoid), and whether the lymphangiomas are on one side of the body (unilateral) or both (bilateral). Stage I
Unilateral infrahyoid. Stage II
Unilateral suprahyoid. Stage III
Unilateral suprahyoid and infrahyoid. Stage IV
Bilateral suprahyoid. Stage V
Bilateral suprahyoid and infrahyoid. Treatment
Treatment for cystic hygroma involves the removal of the abnormal tissue; however complete removal may be impossible without removing other normal areas. Surgical removal of the tumor is the typical treatment provided, with the understanding that additional removal procedures will most likely be required as the lymphangioma grows. Most patients need at least two procedures done for the removal process to be achieved. Recurrence is possible but unlikely for those lesions able to be removed completely via excisional surgery.