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ELECTROLYTE SOLUTIONS ARE UNNECESSARY FOR MILD INFANT DIARRHEA.

The management of acute, mild diarrhea in infants is controversial. Although the World Health Organization recommends that regular feeding be maintained, pediatricians in the U.S. most often recommend clear liquids until the second or third day of diarrhea. In this randomized, prospective trial, parents of 176 infants from two suburban pediatric practices were told either to continue regular, unrestricted feeding when diarrhea occurred or to give an oral electrolyte solution for the first 24 hours, then reintroduce formula. Both groups were told to discontinue solid food. Analysis of 56 episodes of diarrhea revealed no significant differences between the groups with regard to duration of diarrhea, weight loss, number of stools, or overall treatment failure, although infants who continued regular feeding tended to recover faster. All parents in the regular-feeding group complied with their instructions, but 30 percent of the parents in the electrolyte group did not. In addition, parents in the electrolyte group often complained that their infants seemed hungry.

This study, consistent with previous research, suggests that infants with mild diarrhea can -- and should -- continue to be fed their usual diet.

— RAD

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine February 27, 1990

Citation(s):

Margolis PA et al. Effects of unrestricted diet on mild infantile diarrhea. Am J Dis Child 1990 Feb 144 162-164.

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