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Economic barriers to the use of oral rehydration therapy. A case report
Insights
Economic barriers prevent optimal use of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) for childhood diarrheal dehydration. Affordability of glucose-electrolyte solutions is crucial for preventing severe dehydration and deaths in infants, especially in low-income families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Diarrheal dehydration is a major cause of mortality in young children globally.
- Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is a cost-effective and essential treatment.
- Barriers to accessing ORT can lead to severe health consequences.
Abstract:
Diarrheal dehydration is a highly prevalent condition among young children and is readily prevented and treated with oral rehydration therapy. We report a death due to hypernatremic dehydration caused by rotavirus diarrhea of a 9-month-old infant whose mother attempted to purchase oral glucose-electrolyte solution in a pharmacy but was unable to afford it. While efforts such as the National ORT Project should help to promote the proper at-home treatment of this condition, we conclude that oral rehydration therapy will not be used optimally by the parents of children living in poverty until the economic barriers to its use are removed.