Description:
<jats:p>Introduction. Ileostomy represents a necessary procedure to solve various
surgical diseases in children. As the result of increased fluid loss and
colonic exclusion in its regulation, it is often followed, particularly
during the first months after birth, by chronic dehydration and failure to
thrive. Objective. The aim of the paper was to present our experience related
to the application of oral rehydration solution (ORS) to compensate the
intestinal loss of water and electrolytes in infants with ileostomy. Methods.
Treatment was performed with ORS containing 65 mmol/L of sodium in five
infants aged 1.5-8 months (3.8?2.46 months) with dehydration and
undernutrition after ileostomy performed in the first five days after birth.
Results. After rehydration, the continual application of ORS in the daily
dosage of 63.90?25.03 ml/kg, i.e. approximately matching the volume of
intestinal content elimination (57.00?19.23 ml/kg), resulted in all infants
in optimal water and electrolyte homeostasis, and in further course also in
the improvement of their nutritional status (p=0.023). Conclusion. Our
experience indicates that continual application of reduced sodium content of
ORS in the approximate equal quantity of intestinal content loss represents
the method of choice in water and electrolyte homeostasis maintenance in
infants with ileostomy.</jats:p>