Gastroenteritis in children: new concepts and old affirmations.

Gastroenteritis is a common pediatric problem in primary care practice. Some etiological agents are viruses. Maintaining an adequate fluid intake is important: in mild cases a five percent oral dextrose solution can usually prevent the development of significant dehydration. In patients with significant fluid loss, an intravenous infusion of hypotonic, dextrose-containing solution should be instituted before recognizable clinical signs of dehydration develop.