Climate change could worsen the risk of diarrhoea -- a leading cause of death among children aged under five -- across south and southeast Asia, including India, endangering the health of millions of children, according to a study.

Researchers from Australia, including those from Flinders University, analysed data of more than three million children, taken from national surveys of eight Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Prevalence of diarrhoea was found to be about 8 per cent among India's under-fives. The disease is marked by passing loose, watery stools occurring more often than normal. Dehydration, malnutrition and an impaired immunity are among its risk factors.