Evaluation of an instant rice-based ORS on the outcome of acute diarrhoea in infants and toddlers from 4-24 months

ABSTRACT

This study was a controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of an instant rice-based ORS on the outcome of acute diarrhoea in infants and toddlers aged 4-24 months versus glucose-based ORS. The study was done in the Diarrhoeal Disease Research and Rehydration Centre at Bah-El-Sha'reya University Hospital. The experimental group [15 breast fed males, + 15 formula fed males] was given instant rice-based ORS and the control group [1S breast fed males + 15 formula fed males] recieved the standard WHO-10 formula of ORS. Weight gain was significantly more in the experimental group. The amount of ORS intake, stool output, and duration of diarrhoea in hours, were significantly higher in the control group. This was explained by enhancement of absorption of water and electrolytes more by rice-based ORS than by glucose-based ORS. Wide use of an instant rice-based ORS is recommended