The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7337 p200
19 February 2005

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Oral rehydration preferred

Oral rehydration therapy should be the preferred treatment for children with moderate dehydration, say researchers.

They gave fluids either by mouth or intravenously to 73 children dehydrated by viral gastroenteritis. Oral therapy was as effective as intravenous for rehydration and took less time to administer. Children given oral therapy were also less likely to require admission to hospital (Pediatrics 2005;115:295).