[Cholestyramine in the treatment of acute bacterial diarrhea in infants].

32 infants admitted to Hospital "Roberto del Río" with infectious diarrhea and dehydration were assigned random to two groups, one of them receiving the usual therapeutic regimen of rehydration, refeeding and furazolidone and the other group the same treatment plus cholestyramine. The patients were studied with balance technique on days 1st, 3rd., and 5th. after admission, analyzing clinical progress, features of the stools, total digestive transit time, pH of the feces and the presence of reducing substances, volume of the stools, water excretion and sodium, potassium and chloride elimination in the feces. The patients receiving cholestyramine showed an earlier improvement in the appearance of the stools, less excretion of feces and water and diminished sodium and potassium elimination. Chloride excretion was similar in both groups. Cholestyramine tolerance was excellent. No side effects or complications were observed.