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An open triple crossover study comparing water absorption from potable water, Lucozade, and Dioralyte using the
1Booth Hall Hospital, Blackley, Manchester, England.
Insights
Dioralyte showed the quickest absorption in children compared to Lucozade and water. This stable isotope 18O breath test method can assess gut absorption of oral rehydration solutions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Isotope Tracing
Background:
- Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are crucial for managing dehydration.
- Assessing the gastrointestinal absorption rate of fluids is important for optimizing ORS efficacy.
- Non-invasive methods for measuring absorption are desirable, especially in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the gastrointestinal absorption rate of different oral solutions in children using a novel stable isotope technique.
- To compare the absorption kinetics of Lucozade, Dioralyte, and potable water.
- To validate a method for future studies on infants with dehydration.
Main Methods:
- A randomized Latin square design was employed with nine healthy children (aged 6-9 years).
- Participants received oral solutions (Lucozade, Dioralyte, water) labeled with stable isotope 18O.
- Breath carbon dioxide (CO2) was collected for 120 minutes post-administration.
- 18O enrichment in breath CO2 was measured using mass spectrometry to infer gut absorption.
Main Results:
- Absorption rates varied significantly between the tested solutions.
- Dioralyte demonstrated the fastest tracer accumulation, indicating quicker absorption.
- Lucozade exhibited the slowest absorption rate.
- Potable water showed intermediate absorption kinetics.
Conclusions:
- The 18O-labeled breath CO2 method provides a reliable, non-invasive assessment of gastrointestinal fluid absorption.
- Dioralyte appears to be absorbed more rapidly than Lucozade and water in children.
- This technique holds promise for investigating water absorption from ORS in infants with gastroenteritis-induced dehydration.
Abstract:
Nine volunteer children aged 6-9 years were randomised in a Latin square design to receive one of three oral solutions [Lucozade (Beechams), Dioralyte (Rorer Pharmaceuticals), and potable water] labeled with the stable isotope 18O. After administration, breath CO2 was collected using a face mask for a period of 120 min. Mass spectrometric analysis gave the enrichments of 18O in CO2 at parts per million levels. Analysis showed the accumulation of the tracer (and, by inference, absorption from the gut) to be quickest from Dioralyte and slowest from Lucozade. We hope to use this technique to investigate the absorption of water from oral rehydration solutions in infants with dehydration due to gastroenteritis.