Health workers encourage women to breast feed their infants. Formula is more expensive, may not always be available, and in places with a scarcity of clean water or poor sanitation, it can make children sick or even cause death. Oral Rehydration Rural and urban mothers, health workers, pastors, and evangelists receive training in life-saving oral rehydration. Consisting of salt, baking soda, sugar, and clean water, this solution is given to infants and children at the first sign of diarrhea. Immunization Preventable childhood diseases are still prevalent in many areas of the world.
Polio continues to strike and kill children.
Even mild cases can be disabling and prevent young men and women from supporting themselves. When pregnant women are immunized against tetanus their baby is protected as well. Neonatal tetanus is a common cause of death in infants. Whooping cough still causes prolonged illness in children in developing countries. When combined with malnutrition, the child often dies.