Journal of Social & Health Sciences2959-96602958-65262022-09-154243010.58398/0001.000021articleHassan JamilHafiza Saima PrachaRafia JamilFaheem AfzalUmer Ameer ParachaDepartment of Pediatrics Medicine, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, PakistanDepartment of Pediatrics Medicine, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, PakistanDepartment of Pediatrics Medicine, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, PakistanDepartment of Pediatrics Medicine, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, PakistanDepartment of Pediatrics Medicine, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital, PakistanAcute watery diarrhea (AWD) is a significant contributor to morbidity as well as mortality among underfive children, predominantly in resource-limited settings. Although rehydration therapy is the cornerstone of management, it has a limited role in reducing the duration and severity of diarrhea. This study compared the duration of hospital stay in children aged 6–60 months with AWD and some or severe dehydration, with or without acute malnutrition, who received racecadotril as an adjunct to standard therapy versus standard therapy alone. This comparative interventional study was conducted in the Pediatric Medicine Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore. A total of 208 children fulfilling the selection criteria were enrolled and allocated into two groups (104 participants per group) using a random number table. All participants received standard treatment for AWD. Children in Group A received three divided doses of racecadotril (1.5 mg/kg/day) in addition to the standard treatment, whereas children in Group B were administered only the standard treatment. The duration of hospital stay and reduction in loose stool frequency were recorded for all participants. Our results revealed that the median hospital stay duration was significantly shorter in Group A [22.75 hours (IQR = 11.00) versus 61.00 hours (IQR = 24.00) in Group B; p < 0.001]. Similarly, the median decrease in the frequency of loose stools during hospitalization was significantly greater in Group A [9.00 (IQR = 2.00) versus 5.00 (IQR = 2.00) in Group B; p < 0.001]. Among children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), the median hospital stay duration was significantly shorter in Group A [40.00 hours (IQR = 35.00)] than in Group B [65.00 hours (IQR = 29.00)] (p = 0.003). Similarly, among children with varying degrees of dehydration (some or severe) classified according to the WHO criteria, the median duration of hospital stay remained significantly lower in Group A (p < 0.001) than in Group B (p = 0.013). Racecadotril as an adjunct to standard therapy significantly reduced the duration of hospital stay in children aged 6–60 months with AWD, including those with MAM and some or severe dehydration.