REFEEDING IN ACUTE DIARRHEA - A CONTROLLE D-STUDY

We compared the effects of early (Group A) vs. late (Group B) feeding on length and severity of diarrhoea, weight gain and complications suc h as lactose intolerance, need for IV rehydration and vomiting, in wea ned children of less than 3 years of age presenting with acute diarrho ea. All children were rehydrated orally with a rehydration solution in keeping with ESPGAN recommendations. Group A consisted of 23 children (mean age 17,3 months) presenting with a mean diarrhoeal duration of 2,6 days. Group B was made up by 20 children (mean age 13,1 months) pr esenting with a mean diarrheal duration of 3,4 days. None of these dif ferences at admission were significant. Also, in both groups intestina l microbial pathogens were isolate data similar rate. Results: there w as no statistically significant difference between the two groups in a ny of the following parameters: diarrheal duration (1,8 +/- 1,3 vs. 2, 2 +/- 0,9 days), mean number of daily bowel movements (5,4 +/- 4,3 vs 7,8 +/- 5,5) during the 4 5 days after admission, percentage bf childr en with vomiting (16% in both groups), lactose intolerance (none in ei ther group). However, the mean weight gain was significantly greater i n group A (early feeding), not only during the first 4 days of observa tions, but also throughout the flow-up at 14 days thereafter. We concl ude that in children with acute diarrhoea early resumption of full fee dings appropriate for age soon after the completion of oral rehydratio n is safe and effective and offers marked nutritional benefit.