Treatment of 242 neonates with dehydrating diarrhea with an oral glucose-electrolyte solution.

Two hundred thirty-four of 242 neonates (96.7%) with a mean dehydration of 5.1% body weight were rehydrated with a glucose-electrolyte solution given orally in an average time of 7 44 hours. Eight (3.3%) neonates required intravenous fluid therapy. Emesis was not an obstacle for complete oral rehydration. Hypernatremia, hyponatremia, and acidosis present on admission were corrected within a few hours. Oral rehydration is an entirely satisfactory choice for treatment of uncomplicated dehydration in neonates.