Guidelines
Management guidelines for acute infective diarrhoea / gastroenteritis in infants
Abstract
Objectives. This guideline provides a problem-based approach to the basics of present-day management of acute gastroenteritis, and discusses the evidence for the recommendations.
Recommendations. Each episode of diarrhoea must be seen as an opportunity for caregiver education in the prevention of the illness, in the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of oral rehydration and re-feeding, and in the recognition of when to seek help. The vast majority of patients recover rapidly, but serious complications do occur, and must be recognised and managed correctly.
Validation. The guidelines are endorsed by the Paediatric Management Group (PMG) in South Africa.
Conclusion. The aim of management is to help the child to maintain or regain hydration, and to recover from diarrhoea, with careful attention to adequate oral rehydration and judicious re-feeding.
Author's affiliations
Dankwart Friedrich Wittenberg, University of Pretoria
Keywords
Cite this article
Article History
Date published: 2012-01-27
Article Views
Full text views: 30719
Comments on this article
*Read our policy for posting comments here