What is the most appropriate nutrition intervention for a 4-month-old with acute diarrhea?

What is the most appropriate nutrition intervention for a 4-month-old with acute diarrhea?

• A. Half-strength infant formula
• B. Oral rehydration therapy
• C. Full-strength soy formula
• D. Short course of parenteral nutrition

Answer: (B)

In acute diarrhea for a young infant, the priority is to restore and maintain hydration while continuing age-appropriate nutrition. Oral rehydration therapy provides the right balance of fluids and electrolytes, with glucose helping sodium and water absorption in the gut. This approach rehydrates safely at home or in a clinic and allows the infant to keep feeding, which supports growth and recovery. Other options don’t address hydration the same way. Half-strength formula wouldn’t correct dehydration and could under-supply calories and electrolytes. Full-strength soy formula isn’t indicated for acute diarrhea and isn’t a hydration strategy. Parenteral nutrition is reserved for cases where the infant cannot tolerate oral intake or cannot be rehydrated with IV fluids, which is not the initial step here.

In acute diarrhea for a young infant, the priority is to restore and maintain hydration while continuing age-appropriate nutrition. Oral rehydration therapy provides the right balance of fluids and electrolytes, with glucose helping sodium and water absorption in the gut. This approach rehydrates safely at home or in a clinic and allows the infant to keep feeding, which supports growth and recovery.

Other options don’t address hydration the same way. Half-strength formula wouldn’t correct dehydration and could under-supply calories and electrolytes. Full-strength soy formula isn’t indicated for acute diarrhea and isn’t a hydration strategy. Parenteral nutrition is reserved for cases where the infant cannot tolerate oral intake or cannot be rehydrated with IV fluids, which is not the initial step here.