KARACHI, July 12: Contaminated water is exposing a considerable number of infants to diarrhoea and consequently to severe dehydration.

Due to poor hygienic conditions, the government and private health care units in the city, are receiving a large number of patients.

The health-care providers observed that while water contamination is a major factor exposing children to various diseases, negligence on the part of parents is playing a havoc with the health of children.

It was found that many parents could not ensure proper sterilisation or even adequate washing of bottles and relevant vessels used to feed or prepare meals for their babies.

Many of the mothers also confided that they did not bother to prepare fresh milk for every single feed and the leftover in the bottle continued to be given intermittently to their children for three to four hours, as he or she demanded.

Warning local parents to avoid the tendency, they were also asked to see that water for drinking purpose is filtered or at least boiled prior to consumption.

Experts unanimous in their opinion based on scientifically analyzed data stated that water available for drinking purpose to the local public is generally unfit for human consumption, suggested minimum 10 minutes boiling of the same to combat microbial contamination.

Expressing reservations regarding the water treatment options available to the locals, besides questionable quality of the bottled water being sold in market, they suggested simple technique of boiling and application of alum in little quantity.

Water contamination also leads to other serious conditions as acute respiratory infections and pneumonia among children.

Kids experiencing bouts of diarrhoea were strongly recommended to be immediately taken to qualified doctors so that ensuing dehydration is addressed in time.—APP