TREATMENT OF ACUTE DIARRHEA IN PRACTICE

The recommended treatment for acute diarrhoea includes oral rehydratio n and rapid refeeding is increasingly recommended. The objective of th is study was to assess the home use of oral rehydration, and rehydrati on and realimentation in hospital. The parents of children (aged less than 4 y) with acute diarrhoea answered questions on supplementary flu ids and diet during the current diarrhoea at home (n = 129). The admit ted patients (n = 60) were weighed daily and food consumption was meas ured (consecutive 3-d food record). Oral rehydration had been attempte d in 67% of the children managed at the outpatient department and in 6 5% of those admitted. The total energy intake was on average 697 kcal (95% confidence interval 639-755), which is two-thirds of that recomme nded for the age group. Oral rehydration has become accepted in the ma nagement of acute diarrhoea, while rapid realimentation is not yet equ ally endorsed.