Low sodium oral rehydration solution versus the W.H.O. Formula in the correction of dehydration in children

ABSTRACT

This work aimed at comparing the efficacy and safety of an ORS solution containing 60 mEq/ litre of sodium versus the standard WHO formula [ORS-90]. It included 50 wellnourished infants with mild to moderate dehydration classified into 2 groups of 25 each. Mothers were allowed to give either ORS solution to dehydrated infants ad-libitum and feeding was allowed only after correction of dehydration. The study proved that there was no significant differences between both groups as regards the speed of rehydration the amount of ORS needed for rehydration and the weight gain after rehydration as well as the mean serum sodium and potassium. After rehydration, all cases of hyponatremia were corrected in both groups. Asymptomatic hypernatremia was still present in 12% of cases in the ORS-90 group while the risk of hypernatremia was nil in the ORS-60 group. These results were discussed