[Dehydration due to gastro-enteritis in children].

Gastroenteritis is the commonest cause of dehydration in children. Infants and young children dehydrate more easily than adults if fluid intake is insufficient or fluid loss too high because of the combination of a large extracellular volume, a large insensible loss and a mediocre concentrating capacity of the kidney. Fluid loss due to gastroenteritis is often accompanied by electrolyte and acid-base disturbances. Oral rehydration with oral rehydration salts (ORS) is nearly always possible. Re-evaluation after 6 hours is advised especially in young children. Early (< 6-24 hours) resumption of feeding is important. If rehydration with frequent small amounts of ORS at home fails, continuous nasogastric tube feeding in the hospital is a good alternative. In dehydration exceeding 10% of body weight intravenous rehydration is necessary.