Acute gastroenteritis in infants under 6 months old.
Sixty two babies under the age of 6 months who were admitted with gastroenteritis completed a study of gradual refeeding compared with abrupt refeeding after a period of rehydration. There was no difference in the incidence of recurrence of diarrhoea due to lactose intolerance, effect on weight, or duration of hospital stay. Twenty six babies (42%) had recurrence of diarrhoea after refeeding, all of whom settled with the introduction of a lactose free soya based formula. Well nourished babies under 6 months of age with mild to moderately severe gastroenteritis can be fed immediately with full strength milk feeds after rehydration. The introduction of a lactose free soya based preparation may provide an alternative to repeated attempts at regrading with cows' milk feeds in those patients with lactose intolerance.
Fox
R
R
Regional Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Monsall Hospital, Newton Heath, Manchester.
Leen
C L
CL
Dunbar
E M
EM
Ellis
M E
ME
Mandal
B K
BK
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002417:Cattle; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects; D012008:Recurrence