Rehydration in acute gastro-enteritis - the value of going rapid and enteral

Abstract

Acute gastro-enteritis (AGE) is a leading post-neonatal cause of death among South Africa’s children. Almost all these deaths are caused by the consequences of dehydration. Many of these deaths occur in hospitals. AGE is also a significant nutritional insult at a critical time of growth.
When the literature on therapy for AGE is reviewed, only four interventions recommend themselves for universal application for uncomplicated disease: rapid rehydration within 4 - 6 hours with hypotonic solutions, preferably via the gut; continuation of breastfeeding throughout the episode; early re-introduction of full-strength feeds; and zinc therapy.
This article explores the first of these, but will show how its application enhances the positive effects of feeding on the diarrhoea as well as the child’s nutritional status.