Table 6.23.

Complications of acute gastroenteritis

Immediate

Dehydration

Electrolyte imbalance:

Hypernatraemia

Hyponatremia

Hypokalaemia

Acid–base disturbance: acidosis

Protein losing enteropathy

On initial regrading:

Monosaccharide intolerance

Disaccharide intolerance

Chronic diarrhoea (post-enteritis syndrome)

Food intolerance syndromes:

monosaccharide intolerance

disaccharide intolerance

cows' milk protein intolerance

Chronic diarrhoeal syndromes of unknown aetiology:

may be associated with persistent small intestinal

mucosal damage and alteration of bacterial flora

(quantitative and qualitative)