ORAL HYDRATION OF DIARRHOEAL DEHYDRATION

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Abstract
Two groups of infants aged 2-20 mo. with moderate to severe dehydration were randomly assigned to either sucrose high Na (90 meq/l) or sucrose low Na (58 meq/l) solution in a double blind manner, Rehydration was assessed on clinical grounds and confirmed by serial determination of body weight, hematocrit, total serum protein and blood urea nitrogen. Twenty (80%) of 25 patients on sucrose high Na solution and 20 (77%) of 26 patients on sucrose low Na solution were successfully hydrated. Only the assigned sucrose-electrolyte solution was given during the average rehydration period of .apprx. 7 h when the serum electrolytes were remeasured. Three patients on high Na solution developed mild hypernatremia. Slight hyponatremia was encountered in 2 patients on low Na solution. Purging rate was significantly higher in patients who failed as compared to those who succeeded. Oral sugar electrolyte solution with Na concentration of 90 meq/I is probably safe and effective in the majority of infants with diarrheal dehydration of diverse causes. However, i.v. fluids must be available particularly for those with a high purging rate as a significant number of them may fail.