Pediatric Medicine

Answer 4 Administer oral rehydration solution. In a child with diarrhea who is only mildly dehydrated and who is tolerating oral feedings, oral rehydration is the mainstay of therapy; intravenous fluid administration is not indicated. A stool pH of less than 5.5 with few leukocytes makes bacterial infection less likely, and stool cultures are not routinely indicated. Antimotility agents are not recommended for infants with diarrhea. Resuming a normal diet as quickly as possible leads to the most rapid recovery. SUGGESTED READING Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB, editors. Nelson textbook of pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2004. Click here to return to the questions

Hospital Physician     JCOM     Seminars in Medical Practice Hospital Physician Board Review Manuals About TWC    Subscribe    Contact TWC    Home    Search   Site Map Copyright © 2009, Turner White Communications Updated 1/04/08 • kkj