title: Young coconut water for home rehydration in children with mild gastroenteritis.
abstract: Coconut water was evaluated as a home glucose electrolyte solution for well-nourished children with mild diarrhoea. We describe the chemical composition of coconut water by type and age of coconut (Cocos nucifera). Our results suggest that young coconut water can be used, together with early refeeding, as a home glucose electrolyte oral rehydration solution in the early stages of mild diarrhoeal disease, despite not having a balanced electrolyte composition. However, it should not be used in patients with severe cholera, or in patients who are dehydrated and/or in whom renal function is impaired.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bratt
mesh_terms: D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003059:Cocos; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago
chemical_list: D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium