Avoid juice and sweet drinks for dehydration treatment
Expected course
Vomiting and diarrhea often improve over 1 to 3 days
Appetite may lag behind hydration improvement
Medications
Use only prescribed antiemetic dosing if provided
Avoid ibuprofen if poor intake or ongoing dehydration
Follow up
Primary care follow up within 24 to 48 hours
Earlier follow up for infants or chronic disease
Return to ED now
No urine output
Unable to keep any fluids down
Blood in vomit or stool
Bilious vomiting
Increasing sleepiness or difficult to wake
Fast breathing or labored breathing
References
Guidelines and key sources
NICE guideline CG84 diarrhoea and vomiting caused by gastroenteritis in under 5s 2009 surveillance no update 2018
ORT preferred for most clinical dehydration
IV fluids for shock or ORT failure
American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed guideline managing acute gastroenteritis among children 2004
ORT for mild to moderate dehydration
Early refeeding recommendation
WHO oral rehydration salts updated formulation monograph 2006 with WHO UNICEF recommendation since 2003
Reduced osmolarity ORS concept
Electrolyte glucose balance rationale
Canadian Paediatric Society position statement oral rehydration therapy and early refeeding 2006 reaffirmed 2016
Avoid plain water in gastroenteritis dehydration
ORT contraindication examples
Canadian Paediatric Society position statement oral ondansetron for gastroenteritis vomiting 2018
Single dose reduces vomiting and IV fluid use
Use in mild to moderate dehydration or failed ORT
StatPearls pediatric dehydration update 2024
Practical differentiation mild vs moderate limitations
ORT goal euvolemia
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.