Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Effect of Hyaluronic Acid 35 kDa on an In Vitro Model of Preterm Small Intestinal Injury and Healing Using Enteroid-Derived Monolayers
Published on: July 28, 2022
[Prevention and treatment of acute diarrhea in infants]
1Unité de gastroentérologie, hépatologie et nutrition, clinique de pédiatrie, hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre et faculté de médecine, université de Lille-II, 2, avenue Oscar-Lambret, 59037 Lille cedex, France. dturck@chru-lille.fr
Insights
Acute diarrhea in infants can be serious, leading to dehydration and death. Proper use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and avoiding harmful fluids are crucial for infant health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Acute diarrhea is a significant concern in infants, despite generally good prognoses in industrialized nations.
- An estimated 10-15 deaths annually in France are linked to acute dehydration from diarrhea.
- Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are underutilized, with only 70% of affected infants receiving them.
Purpose:
- To provide guidance on the optimal management of acute diarrhea in infants.
- To emphasize the importance of appropriate rehydration strategies and discourage ineffective or harmful practices.
- To review current therapeutic options, including medications and vaccines.
Summary:
- Homemade ORS, plain water, and fizzy drinks should be avoided. Breastfeeding or infant formula should not be stopped for more than 4 hours.
- Lactose-free formulas are indicated only for severe, persistent, or recurrent diarrhea; infants under 3-4 months with severe diarrhea may need lactose-free protein hydrolysate formulas for 2-4 weeks.
- Racecadotril is the sole anti-diarrheal drug, reducing stool output by 50%. Antibiotics are reserved for Shigella, severe sepsis, or debilitating conditions. Oral Rotavirus vaccine significantly reduces severe cases, hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality.
Impact:
- Improved infant outcomes through evidence-based management of acute diarrhea.
- Reduced mortality and morbidity associated with dehydration in infants.
- Potential for widespread adoption of effective preventive and therapeutic measures, including vaccination.
Abstract:
The prognosis of acute diarrhoea in infants is most often satisfactory in industrialized countries. However, it has been estimated that 10 to 15 children die every year in France from acute dehydration due to acute diarrhoea. In spite of an increasing use over the least few years, oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are used in only 70% of infants presenting with acute diarrhoea. The use of homemade ORS, plain water or fizzy drink should be strictly avoided. In case of acute diarrhoea there is no indication to stop breastfeeding or the use of infant formula for more than 4 hours. Lactose intolerance is observed in only 5-10% of infants. Lactose free formulae should only be used in infants with severe, persistent or recurrent diarrhoea. Under 3-4 months of age, infants with severe diarrhoea should receive for a period of 2-4 weeks lactose free protein hydrolysate formulae. Racecadotril is the only drug with anti-diarrheal properties, with a reduction of the stool output of 50%. Oral antibiotics should only be used in case of Shigella infection or in case of bacterial infection with severe sepsis or underlying debilitating disease. Oral Rotavirus vaccine, that is not reimbursed yet in France, has been shown to dramatically reduce the number of severe cases of diarrhoea with dehydration, and has been associated with a striking reduction of both morbidity and mortality, as well as of the number of hospitalisations during periods of epidemics.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Antimicrobials as Antidiarrheal Agents
01:17Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
01:20Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents
Adsorbents...
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...