Gastroenteritis_flashcards
Q: What should be done if there are no features of dehydration in a child with gastroenteritis?
A: Continue with usual feeds and encourage regular fluids.
Q: What is the recommended management for mild dehydration in a child with gastroenteritis?
A: Give oral rehydration fluid in addition to usual feeds and fluids, and discourage fruit juices and carbonated drinks.
Q: When should a child with gastroenteritis be admitted to the hospital?
A: Admit if the child is systemically unwell, has clinical features of severe dehydration and/or shock, intractable or bilious vomiting, painful, bloody diarrhoea, confirmed Shiga toxin-producing E coli infection, or suspected serious complication like haemolytic uraemic syndrome or sepsis.
Q: What are the maintenance fluid volumes over 24 hours for a child weighing 0-10 kg?
A: 100 ml/kg.
Q: What are the maintenance fluid volumes over 24 hours for a child weighing 10-20 kg?
A: 1000 ml + 50 ml/kg for each kg over 10.
Q: What are the maintenance fluid volumes over 24 hours for a child weighing over 20 kg?
A: 1500 ml + 20 ml/kg for each kg over 20.
Q: When are antibiotics indicated for gastroenteritis?
A: Antibiotics are indicated for suspected or confirmed sepsis, extra-intestinal spread of bacterial infection, salmonella gastroenteritis if aged < 6 months, malnourished or immunocompromised children with Salmonella, and specific bacterial or protozoal infections such as C. difficile, cholera, shigella, giardiasis.
Q: Should breastfeeding be continued during rehydration with oral rehydration solution (ORS)?
A: Yes, breastfeeding can be continued while rehydrating with ORS.
Q: What should be done after a diarrhoeal illness in terms of nutritional intake?
A: Nutritional intake needs to be increased after diarrhoeal illness.
Q: What should be avoided in the routine prescription for gastroenteritis?
A: Do not routinely prescribe antidiarrheals, antiemetics, zinc supplements, or probiotics.
Q: What advice should be given to prevent the spread of gastroenteritis?
A: Wash hands, flush toilet, wash soiled clothes and bed linen separate to other clothes and at high temperature. Children should not attend school until at least 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.
Q: What is the typical duration of diarrhoea in gastroenteritis?
A: Diarrhoea usually lasts for 5-7 days and stops within 2 weeks.
Q: What is the typical duration of vomiting in gastroenteritis?
A: Vomiting usually lasts 1-2 days and stops within 3 days.
Q: What is the treatment for no dehydration in gastroenteritis?
A: <10kg receive 60-120mL, >10kg receive 120-240mL of oral rehydration solution per episode of vomiting/diarrhoea. Age-appropriate diet continued.
Q: What is the treatment for mild dehydration (<5%) in gastroenteritis?
A: Rehydration with ORS at 50mL/kg over 4 hours. <10kg receive 60-120mL, >10kg receive 120-240mL of oral rehydration solution per episode of vomiting/diarrhoea. Age-appropriate diet continued.
