Management of gastroenteritis in early childhood

The most important aspect of modern management of acute diarrhoeal illness in children is that of oral rehydration therapy, and drug therapy is very rarely indicated. Despite the dramatic decline in mortality and morbidity in recent years, there is still the need for continuing education in the appropriate use of oral rehydration solutions. The constitution of oral rehydration solutions and policies of feeding practices during illness continue to be controversial, mainly because of wide variation in the aetiology of the diarrhoea, the nutrition of the child, and the economic and public health factors involved in any particular community. The priority of all healthcare workers is to provide simple guidelines in the use of a safe oral rehydration solution while discouraging unsafe treatments.