Oral Rehydration—Is It Really That Easy?

The efficacy of oral rehydration for the correction of mild/moderate dehydration, documented in the experience of developing countries and discussed repeatedly in this journal, presents the practicing pediatrician with a valuable, practical solution to an ever-present problem. However, the concept also presents unique potential pitfalls that require us "old dogs" to learn some new tricks. We may no longer be able to either admit the moderately dehydrated child to the safe confines of the nearest hospital for a CBC and a "set of lytes," while the 10 mL/kg of D5 and Lactated Ringers runs in, waiting for the fine tuning to be done when the numbers return from the laboratory, or to have the mother pick up some of our favorite oral electrolyte solution on the way home, to give a few sips periodically and call us in the morning.