[Continuous enteral nutrition in the treatment of infants with "travelers' diarrhea" and severe malnutrition].

A prospective study of children aged 2-22 mos with traveller's diarrhea and severe malnutrition (weight loss greater than or equal to 10%; mean 17.8%) treated with a standardized progressive semi-elemental drip feeding (Alfaré and Dextrine-maltose) after rehydration was undertaken. In 18 children, this therapy was successful and duration of the hospital stay was 15.7 days. In 6 other children, relapse was treated with the same protocol with success and duration of the hospital stay was 29 days. Total parenteral nutrition was unnecessary. Evolution of serum prealbumin and anthropometric parameters was good.