A semi-elemental diet with low osmolarity and high content of hydrolyzed lactalbumin in the treatment of acute diarrhea in malnourished children.

Thirty-eight moderately to severely malnourished children with severe acute or subacute diarrhea were treated according to two different feeding schemes, divided at random half of the children received semi-elemental diet (SED) with an osmolarity of 302 milliosmol per liter, a low lactose content and a relatively high content of lactalbumine hydrolysate (1 g/100 ml). The other half of the patients received available proprietory formulas or diluted cow's milk with added carbohydrates. The results obtained showed that the children who were fed the SED had a better average weight gain during the first three weeks of hospitalization compared to the control group. The children receiving the SED also required a smaller number or rehydrations.