RESUMO
To determine the relationship between bicarbonate concentration and hospitalization among children with gastroenteritis. This study was conducted at Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein Hospital over a period of 6 months between August 2008 and February 2009. A total of 84 children aged 6 months to 5 years were included in the study. All patients included in this study were evaluated in our Pediatric Outpatient Clinic and they had acute gastroenteritis with mild to moderate dehydration, associated with vomiting at least 5 times per day for less than 48 hours duration. Blood gases either arterial or venous and serum electrolytes were measured for all patients as ordered by an attended pediatric physician after initial evaluation. Each patient was given 20-30 ml / kg dextrose 5% saline over a period of two hours, followed by the oral administration of small and frequent amount of clear fluids [about 30-50 ml / 30 minutes for two hours]. Patients who developed vomiting during or after oral rehydration were hospitalized for prolonged intravenous fluid therapy while patients who tolerated oral fluids were discharged and their caregivers were advised to come back to hospital if vomiting persisted, diarrhea increased or any new complaint was noticed by the family. We extend the period of observation for patients with bicarbonate measurements