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| Image Credit: Pixabay |
Indiana University
Emergency Medicine/Pediatrics Residency
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| This post was peer reviewed. Click to learn more. |
Acute gastroenteritis is a common diagnosis for pediatric patients in emergency departments across the country. Although the cause is usually viral, successful treatment consists of adequate fluid hydration and supportive care through the course of the child’s illness.[1] The ability to keep a child hydrated through the illness is a major contributor to the successful outpatient management of these patients. There are oral rehydration solutions (ORS) available that have been recommended due to their ideal electrolyte concentrations, however, some children refuse to drink them because of the taste.[1] High sugar drinks, such as sports drinks, have also been thought to induce osmotic diarrhea and therefore have not been previously recommended for gastroenteritis.[1] Throughout my short career, I’ve had many parents tell me they give watered-down juice because “that’s what Grandma told me to do.” A recent study published in JAMA attempted to determine if half-dilute apple juice would be an acceptable oral rehydration option, and perhaps prove that grandmas sometimes do know best.
