Juice Is Best for Treating Mild Gastroenteritis with Minimal Dehydration

Oral rehydration with electrolyte maintenance solutions has become a mainstay in treating moderate to severe dehydration, but could less-expensive, better-tasting fluids such as diluted juice be just as effective in milder cases?

In a single-blind noninferiority trial, researchers randomized 647 children (aged 6−60 months) presenting to a Canadian pediatric emergency department with gastroenteritis and minimal dehydration to receive either 1) half-strength apple juice for initial hydration followed by fluids of the child's choice or 2) apple-flavored electrolyte maintenance solution. The primary outcome was treatment failure, defined as occurrence of any of the following within 7 days: intravenous rehydration, hospitalization, unscheduled vi…