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Adherence to oral rehydration therapy among in-patient children aged 1-59 months with some or no dehydration

A N Migowa1, B Gatinu, R W Nduati

  • 1Chogoria Mission Hospital, Chogoria town, Kenya. angelamigowa@yahoo.com

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|July 16, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Most children with gastroenteritis in Kenyan hospitals did not receive the correct amount of oral rehydration solution (ORS). This highlights significant gaps in ORS administration for pediatric dehydration management.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Gastroenteritis is a leading cause of childhood illness and mortality globally.
  • Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is a critical intervention for managing dehydration in children.
  • Adherence to ORS guidelines is essential for effective treatment, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the adherence to oral rehydration solution (ORS) prescription and administration.
  • To evaluate ORS adherence in pediatric patients (1-59 months) with gastroenteritis and varying dehydration levels (some dehydration [SD] or no dehydration [ND]).
  • To identify prescription and administration gaps in ORS for pediatric gastroenteritis in rural Kenyan hospitals.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 99 inpatient children aged 1-59 months with acute gastroenteritis.
  • Children were categorized as having some dehydration (SD) or no dehydration (ND).
  • Medical records were reviewed, and children/caretakers were interviewed on days 2 and 3 post-enrollment to assess hydration status and ORS administration.

Main Results:

  • 75% of children with SD and 59% with ND received a correct ORS prescription.
  • Only 20% of children with SD and 41% with ND received the correct amount of ORS.
  • By day 3, 15% of initially SD children and 5% of initially ND children developed SD, indicating treatment challenges.

Conclusions:

  • A significant majority of children with gastroenteritis, both with and without dehydration, do not receive the correct amount of ORS.
  • Adherence failures in ORS prescription and administration are prevalent in rural Kenyan hospitals.
  • Improved ORS management is crucial to prevent worsening dehydration and improve outcomes in pediatric gastroenteritis.
Abstract

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