[Treatment of acute diarrhea in infants and young children with a new formulated oral rehydration solution]

Abstract

49 infants and children with acute diarrhea with mild to moderate dehydration have been rehydrated orally with a newly composed oral rehydration solution. This solution differs from the traditional WHO recommended rehydration solution in a lower sodium content of 60 mval/l and replacement of bicarbonate 25 mval/l by an equimolar amount of citrate. The taste of the solution was improved by addition of flavour. All infants and children - including 8 infants less than 3 months of age - were successfully rehydrated. The solution was well accepted; no side effects have been observed. The sodium content remained normal in all patients.