Oral rehydration for diarrhoeal diseases in children

Electrolyte disturbances and response to oral electrolyte therapy were studied in 88 children with mild to moderate dehydration due to acute gastroenteritis. A solution with a sodium concentration of 50 mmol/litre was tested in a group of 60 children and results obtained with those in a group of 28 children taking a standard oral solution with a concentration of 90 mmol/litre. Adequate hydration was accomplished in both groups and none of them received intravenous fluids. Neither group received additional water or other fluid in the first 24 hours. There was a significant rise in sodium concentration with both solutions and none of the children developed hypernatraemia. A significant rise in potassium is observed in children with clinical kwashiorkor when hydrated with the low sodium solution.