regimes

Last reviewed 01/2018

After full assessment of the degree of dehydration of the patient, oral rehydration therapy aims to completely replace losses in four hours.

Oral rehydration therapy may be given even if the child is vomiting. The volumes of feed are reduced and the volume of vomitus is measured and incorporated into the regime.

In conditions where the sterility of bottles and teats is in question, the fluid should be given via a cup and spoon.

There is evidence that the use reduced-osmolarity oral rehydration solutions for acute diarrhoea has led to less total stool output and shorter duration of diarrhoea.