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Cereal aids fight against diarrhoea
Mazingira
|July 1, 1984
Summary
Rice powder solutions are a more effective oral rehydration therapy (ORT) for diarrhea than sugar-based mixtures. This breakthrough offers a vital, accessible treatment for children in developing nations.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Diarrhea is a leading cause of mortality in children under five globally, primarily due to dehydration.
- Conventional treatments like intravenous saline are often inaccessible in resource-limited settings.
- Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) using sugar, salt, and water has been a recognized, accessible treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of rice powder-based Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) as a superior alternative to sugar-based ORT.
- To explore the potential of cereal-based solutions for managing diarrheal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the conversion rate of rice powder to glucose in the intestines during diarrhea.
- Compared the effectiveness of rice powder solutions against traditional sugar-salt solutions in treating diarrhea.
- Conducted studies at the International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B).
Main Results:
- Rice powder is converted to glucose (80-86%) and absorbed, aiding salt absorption during diarrhea.
- Rice powder-based ORT was found to be twice as effective as sugar-based ORT.
- Rice is a widely available staple food, making rice powder ORT more accessible than sugar in many regions.
Conclusions:
- Cereal-based ORT, particularly using rice powder, presents a more effective and accessible treatment for diarrhea.
- The study recommends expanding the use of rice powder ORT and exploring other cereals for similar applications.
- Further research and implementation in countries like Indonesia, India, China, and Kenya are encouraged.