| Abstract: | A national survey on the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children was conducted among 10% of the Dutch general practitioners and 10% of the paediatricians. Oral Rehydration Solution was used by less than 40% of the general practitioners, while 95% of the paediatricians used it (nearly) always. About a quarter of the general practitioners used antidiarrhoeal medication in contrast to the paediatricians who hardly or never used these drugs. The refeeding period after the acute rehydration therapy showed great difference. The need for a uniform dietary advice was felt by nearly half the general practitioners. It is concluded that the internationally accepted primary treatment with O.R.S. has insufficient impact on the Dutch general practitioners. Greater knowledge on the unique features of this method is needed. The dietary advice after the primary treatment needs more uniformity. |
