Feeding children with diarrhea.

Abstract

This study was designed to test early and rapid feeding of children with diarrhea. The daily weight, the time to reach the normal diet or hospitalization duration, relapse, or prolongation of diarrhea were evaluated. The sample of 40 Indonesian babies with diarrhea was randomly divided into group A and Group B. The age range was from 4 to 24 months, and the body weight range was from 5.7 to 9.6 kg with 2 out of 40 cases malnourished and weighing less than 60% Harvard standard for age. Rehydration with intravenous fluid drip or glucose oral electrolyte solution was completed within 4-6 hours. Continued fluid losses were replaced. Refeeding was initiated immediately upon completion of rehydration. Group A refeeding followed the classic schedule to reintroduce foods slowly, starting with dilute formula and working up to a full diet in 9-11 days. Group B was scheduled to reach full strength formula by the 3rd day and normal diet in the 4th. The mean of daily weight gain of group A was 6 g per day and group B was 49 g per day. This was a highly significant difference. There was a clear association between calorie intake and daily weight gain, and this difference was significant. The mean of time to reach the normal diet or hospitalization time from group A was 10 days and group B was 5 days. This was a statistically significant difference. The duration of diarrhea in both groups was 3 days. Relapse of diarrhea occurred in 2 cases from group A and 1 case from group B. Those who were given rapid, early and adequate refeeding had a weight gain 8 times greater than the other group who followed the classic schedule of reintroducing foods slowly. Study findings indicate that rapid adequate calorie intake is acceptable for refeeding, showing no significant prolongation or relapse of diarrhea.