Complications
Volume depletion, loss of electrolytes, and inadequate fluid and electrolyte resuscitation can cause serious electrolyte imbalances. The most common electrolyte disturbances include hypernatremia, hyponatremia, and hypokalemia.
Selection of appropriate fluids for rehydration and monitoring of electrolytes in severe cases can help prevent this complication. Central pontine myelinolysis or cerebral edema can occur if sodium correction is not managed optimally. In hypernatremic volume depletion, oral rehydration therapy might be safer than intravenous therapy because it is less likely to lead to a precipitous increase in intracellular water, associated with seizures and elevated intracranial pressure.
Severe volume depletion can cause hypotension and acute tubular necrosis due to prerenal azotemia.
In addition to rehydration, some patients require dialysis until renal function recovers.
Lactose intolerance can occur after acute viral gastroenteritis because of the loss of intestinal brush-border enzymes. This can persist for several weeks or may be permanent in some cases.
Intolerance to cows' milk or soy protein may also develop because of a hypersensitivity reaction.
Lactose intolerance should be treated with a lactose-free diet, or use of a commercially available lactase preparation, given orally. Slow introduction of lactose after a few weeks may be tolerated.
In the case of other food intolerance, the offending food should be avoided. Reintroduction of the food after complete recovery is possible in most cases.
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