Comparison of oral sucrose and glucose electrolyte solutions in the out-patient management of acute gastroenteritis in infancy.
Seventy-three children under the age of 18 months presenting with acute gastroenteritis were given an electrolyte mixture with added sucrose or glucose in a randomized double-blind trial. The time taken to recovery in those sucessfully treated as out-patients was identical. However, of the 34 who received glucose, 11 (32%) required admission compared with 7 (18%) of the 39 who received sucrose. There was a wide range of osmolality of the made-up feeds, indicating inaccuracy in diluting the solutions as prescribed, but this did not in general correlate with need for admission. Sucrose-electrolyte solution is at least as effective as a glucose-electrolyte solution for the out-patient management of acute gastroenteritis in infancy. The cheapness and easy availability of sucrose commends its use in developed and developing countries.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005947:Glucose / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013395:Sucrose / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013395:Sucrose; D005947:Glucose