An open-label inpatient study is in progress to compare the efficacy and safety of two
oral rehydration solutions in children and infants with acute
diarrhea and mild to moderate
dehydration. One
solution (ORS-60) contains 60 mmol/L of
sodium and 1.8%
glucose, with a total osmolality of 240 mosm/kg; the other (ORS-26) contains 26 mmol/L of
sodium, 2.7%
glucose, and 3.6%
sucrose, with a total osmolality of 340 mosm/kg. An outcome analysis of 28 children with
gastroenteritis indicated that ORS-60 (n = 13) reduced stool volume during the first eight hours after admission to a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) extent than did ORS-26 (n = 15).
Diarrhea had ceased by 24 hours in 64% of ORS-60 patients but in only 31% of ORS-26 patients, and the patients' clinical condition was improved at eight hours in 84% of ORS-60 patients versus 60% of ORS-26 patients. Differences between treatments in degree of
dehydration at each follow-up point, total duration of
diarrhea, and duration of
hospital stay were not detected. No
adverse drug reactions occurred. Four patients received intravenous
rehydration therapy, but none was considered a treatment failure. We conclude that the lower osmolar
solution, ORS-60, conferred earlier recovery and reduced continuing fluid losses in the management of
gastroenteritis.