Abstract
Fifty-two children 6 to 29 months with good nutritional status, and a mild to moderate dehydration secondary to acute diarrhea received ad libitum one of four oral electrolyte solutions for 48 hours. The solutions differed only in type and level of carbohydrate: 5% glucose, 5%, 10%, and 12.5% corn syrup solids (CS). Electrolyte levels were similar in all solutions (Na+ 30, K+ 20, C1−30 mEq/1). At 48 hours 47/52 (90%) were normally hydrated by clinical observations with no difference among treatments. Mean intakes (all subjects) were 138 ml/kg (day 1) and 153 ml/kg (day 2) with no difference among groups. In 48 hours urine specific gravity (1.012 to 1.008) and serum urea (15.0 to 9.6 mg/dl) decreased and serum sodium (134 to 137 mEq/1) increased with no difference among treatments. Stool weights were 36.1 g/kg (day 1) and 45.1 g/kg (day 2) with no difference among treatments. Greater numbers of glucose positive stools were observed with 10% and 12.5% CS solutions than with either 5% solution. Stool electrolytes were Na+20 and K+ 23 mEq/kg stool/day and did not differ as to treatment. Stools of 7/52 (14%) patients contained bacterial pathogens. Diarrhea worsened in patients in each group (12.5%CS, 7/13; 10%CS, 5/13, 5%CS 1/13; 5% glucose, 2/13). Oral electrolyte solutions with 30 mEq Na/liter were effective in rehydration and electrolyte maintenance. Solutions with 5% glucose or CS resulted in less carbohydrate malabsorption.
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Rodriguez, J., Blanco, R., Gray, I. et al. 462 TREATMENT OF ACUTE DIARRHEA WITH ORAL ELECTROLYTE SOLUTIONS. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 440 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00467
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00467