Maize-salt solution in the treatment of diarrhoea

In a block-randomized trial we compared the efficacy of citrate-containing glucose electrolyte solution (GES) versus maize-salt solution (MSS) in the treatment of children with mild and moderate diarrhoeal dehydration and acidosis. One hundred and fifteen children aged 3-59 months were entered in the study; 56 received GES and 59 MSS. Fifty-one (91%) of the 56 children given GES and 52 (88%) of the 59 children given MSS were successfully rehydrated with improvement in metabolic acidosis within 24 h. Initial hypokalemia in children treated with maize-salt solution was not corrected during the first 24 h of therapy. The children were, however, clinically asymptomatic after treatment. Carefully prepared maize-salt solution may be used successfully in mild and moderate dehydration in the home, as an alternative to the preferred glucose electrolyte formula.