Background: Acute gastroenteritis is a common and potentially lethal condition in children worldwide. Recommendations for oral rehydration therapy have been issued by paediatric societies both in the USA and Europe. In 1998, The European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) initiated a multicentre study to determine how current practice corresponds with these recommendations.
Material and methods: Paediatricians and general practitioners in 29 European countries responded to a questionnaire regarding oral rehydration therapy of a six months old infant.
Results: In Norway, 55 physicians responded. Neither paediatricians nor general practitioners seem to be familiar with all the ESPGHAN recommendations. There is a lack of knowledge about the advantages of fast rehydration and subsequent early reintroduction of a normal diet. Many physicians also wrongly believe that secondary lactose intolerance is a common complication.
Interpretation: The recommendations do not seem to be well implemented among health professionals. It is necessary to educate health-care workers at all levels in order to improve treatment of acute diarrhoea in children.