COMPARISON OF SIMPLE SUGAR-SALT VERSUS GLUCOSE-ELECTROLYTE ORAL REHYDRATION SOLUTIONS IN INFANT DIARRHEA

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 84  (5) , 189-194
Abstract
In a randomized double-blind trial, infants with mild or moderate diarrheal dehydration were rehydrated orally with a simple solution containig containing table sugar and salt (without K or bicarbonate) or with a complete glucose electrolyte formula. All 32 given glucose/electrolyte solution and 27 (93%) of 29 infants given sugar/salt were successfully rehydrated with similar improvement in metabolic acidosis and rapidity of rehydration. The drawbacks to oral therapy with simple sugar/salt solution were the frequent development of hypokalemia and greater volume of vomiting during treatment. Carefully prepared sugar/salt solution, if accompanied by adequate K supplementation, may be used as an alternative to the preferred glucose/electrolyte formula when the latter is unavailable.