Evaluation of oral therapy for infant diarrhoea in an emergency room setting: the acute episode as an opportunity for instructing mothers in home treatment.

100 infants with 1-10% dehydration resulting from acute watery diarrhea were treated in an emergency room setting with oral glucose-electrolytes therapy. The acute episode was utilized to instruct mothers in the technique of oral therapy for diarrhea. After initial rehydration, when the stools had lost their totally watery character, children were discharged and mothers were instructed to continue oral therapy as needed at home and to resume milk feedings. 92% of the infants were successfully rehydrated during the initial visit without any intravenous fluids. 8% required intravenous therapy because of persistent vomiting or refusal to take the oral solution in the face of significant diarrhea. 13% of the infants were brought back to the emergency room by their mothers due to continued diarrhea and recurrent dehydration. Of these, 8 were rehydrated again with oral therapy and 7 were given intravenous fluids. Oral therapy alone was successful in 85% of the cases. The mean duration of stay in the hospital was reduced, with 74% of the infants staying less than 24 hours as compared with 36% in previous studies in this hospital. (Authors' modified)