Mild stomach flu: What’s the best way to stay hydrated?
Recently, a study in JAMA found initially drinking diluted apple juice followed by their preferred fluids among children with mild gastroenteritis and minimal dehydration was the more effective than other drinks.
An apple a day, truly can keep the doctor away. In this case, it's referring to children with mild gastroenteritis or stomach flu. Recently, a study in JAMA found among children with mild gastroenteritis and minimal dehydration, initially drinking diluted apple juice followed by their preferred fluids, compared with electrolyte maintenance solution, resulted in fewer treatment failures.
Some examples of treatment failure included any of the following occurring within seven days of enrollment in the study: intravenous rehydration, hospitalization, subsequent unscheduled physician encounter, symptoms lasting a long time or longer than expected, 3 percent or more weight loss, or significant dehydration at in-person follow-up.
Gastroenteritis is an extremely common disease, presents with diarrhea and vomiting, and there are 178.8 million episodes a year. Usually, pediatric gastroenteritis is self-limited and improves with supportive care, mainly focusing on the prevention and treatment of dehydration.
Up to this point, the mainstay of this rehydration has consisted of commercially produced electrolyte maintenance solutions. These solutions are not bad, but sometimes can be expensive and can have an unpalatable taste for your children. Therefore, if your child will not consume them, they have a higher risk of dehydration which sometimes may require hospitalization for intravenous (IV) fluid rehydration.
With this in mind, this study, investigated if diluted juice (apple juice) followed by fluids of the child's choice would be superior or non-inferior (just as good) as previously used maintenance solutions. After completing the study, the researchers found that in mild gastroenteritis and minimal dehydration, initially using dilute apple juice followed by fluids that the children regularly preferred may be an appropriate alternative than using electrolyte maintenance solutions.
These findings are great news for parents who have had issues getting their sick children to try and drink some fluids that their child did not like the taste of. However, like any new research, this is just one study. More research maybe needed to obtain a definitive answer. With this in mind, if you notice your child is suffering from gastroenteritis, it is still always a good idea for you to contact his or her primary care provider for advice.
Furthermore, this study worked best in children older than 2. If your child is very young, it is again a good idea to speak with you healthcare provider. Last but not least, this study primarily dealt with children who were not dehydrated or were very minimally dehydrated. Children that are experiencing more severe dehydration my actually be harmed by these types of fluids especially very sugary ones. Symptoms of severe dehydration can include:
Lost the ability to make tears
Less than three wet diapers or three urinations a day
A very dry mouth
Skin tenting – occurs when the skin takes a longer to return to normal after pinching the skin
Sunken eyes
Inconsolability or confusion
If your child is experiencing these more serious symptoms, it is imperative you contact your healthcare provider immediately.
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