Acute gastroenteritis in well nourished infants: comparison of four feeding regimens

Two hundred well hydrated babies of 6 weeks to 12 months of age who had been fed on formula feeds and who were admitted with acute gastroenteritis were randomly allocated to receive either a standard return to full milk feeds, or immediate full strength feeds with one of three milk formulas, HN25, SMA Gold Cap, or Formula S. There were significant differences in weight change among the four treatment groups at two and five days, with initial weight loss recorded only for the group of babies who were receiving the graded return to full feeding. There was no difference in the duration of diarrhoea after admission, nor in the time to discharge. Eighteen babies were classified as failures of treatment. None had long term complications. Well hydrated infants with acute gastroenteritis may resume full milk feeding immediately.