[Rapid rehydration by intravenous route in dehydrated children by diarrhea].

Sixty-two children (13 days to 11 years old) with 1-12% dehydration due to acute watery diarrhoea were rehydrated in an Emergency Room Setting by means of intravenous fluid therapy in 6.34 +/- 0.57 hr. Mean duration of hospital stay was reduced and 87% of patients stayed 24 hrs. or less as compared to 36% in previous studies at this hospital. The correction of dehydration and its electrolyte imbalance was done in a shorter time; recovery of the patients was better and the complications were less; the method allowed a more rational use of beds in the Emergency Room Setting.