A comparison of oral replacement solutions containing sodium in concentrations of 120 m mols/L and 60 m mols/L in paediatric diarrhoea

Abstract

The efficacy and safety of two types of oral replacement solutions (ORS) were tested in 65 children aged 6 months to 2 years, with histories of acute watery diarrhoea and dehydration of comparable severity. 40 children were maintained with ORS containing low sodium (60 m. molsjL) and 25 with ORS containing high sodium (120 m. mols IL) after initial intravenous rehydration. Hydration and electrolyte balance could be maintained in all children. Two children receiving ORS with 120 m. molsfL sodium developed hypernatremia. Children receiving ORS with high sodium excreted significantly more sodium in urine and stool after 24 & 48 hours of oral therapy. Despite the presence of effective homeostatic mechanism of the body, we do not recommended ORS with 120 m. mols/L. We still consider the WHO recommend ORS with 90 m. mols sodium/L as the appropriate oral solution for general use in all types of diarrhoea including cholera. However, a lower concentration of sodium in ORS would also be safe and effective for most of the non-cholera pediatric diarrhoeas