Efficacy of Reduced Osmolarity Oral Rehydration Solution in Children with Acute Diarrhoea

Abstract

Background: To compare the efficacy of reduced osmolarity ORS with standard WHO ORS in children with acute diarrhoea.
Methods: In this comparative study 1080 children suffering from acute diarrhoea were selected from emergency. Children were divided randomly into 2 groups. Group A was given reduced osmolarity ORS and Group B was given standard WHO ORS. Proforma was filled at the time of admission and after every four hours till there was no dehydration. Criteria of treatment efficacy was, need of unscheduled IV infusions, number of stools, improvement in number of episodes of vomiting and duration of hospital stay in hours.
Results: A total of 1080 children with acute diarrhoea were included in the study. 540 children in group A were given reduced osmolarity ORS and 540 children in group B were given WHO ORS. Efficacy of treatment was significantly good in group A (75%) as compared to group B (34%). Unscheduled IV infusion was less in group A as compared to group B. Number of stools were significantly reduced in group A as compared to group B. Vomiting during rehydration was also lesser in group A as compared to group B. Patients in group A had significantly reduced average duration of hospital stay as compared to group B.
Conclusion: Reduced osmolarity ORS reduced the duration and severity of symptoms in children with acute diarrhea and treatment was well tolerated with no side effects.