[Rice water with and without electrolytes in diarrhea with a high stool output]

The objective of the study was to determine the efficacy and safety of two rice-based oral rehydration solutions, with and without added electrolyte in children presenting acute diarrheal dehydration with high stool output (> 10 mL/kg/h) during a two-hour rehydration period. Twenty-two patients of one to 18 months old were recruited and randomly distributed into two groups: group A received the rice-based solution without electrolytes, and group B received the rice-based solution with electrolytes. A stool output diminishing was observed in both groups and rehydration was achieved in 4.0 +/- 0.9 hours in 21 patients from group A and in 4.6 +/- 0.9 hours in 13 patients group group B. There was not a statistically significant difference between the groups regarding the laboratory results. The rice-based oral rehydration solution without added electrolytes was useful for rehydration of children presenting high stool output, after administering the WHO/ORS recommended formula during a two-hour period.