Maize-salt solution in the treatment of diarrhoea.
In a block-randomized trial we compared the efficacy of citrate-containing glucose electrolyte solution (GES) versus maize-salt solution (MSS) in the treatment of children with mild and moderate diarrhoeal dehydration and acidosis. One hundred and fifteen children aged 3-59 months were entered in the study; 56 received GES and 59 MSS. Fifty-one (91%) of the 56 children given GES and 52 (88%) of the 59 children given MSS were successfully rehydrated with improvement in metabolic acidosis within 24 h. Initial hypokalemia in children treated with maize-salt solution was not corrected during the first 24 h of therapy. The children were, however, clinically asymptomatic after treatment. Carefully prepared maize-salt solution may be used successfully in mild and moderate dehydration in the home, as an alternative to the preferred glucose electrolyte formula.
Kenya
P R
PR
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Medical Research Centre, Nairobi.
Ondongo
H W
HW
Molla
A M
AM
Muttunga
J N
JN
Nato
J N
JN
Juma
R
R
Were
B N
BN
D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005947:Glucose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance; D003313:Zea mays
D001639:Bicarbonates; D015532:Rehydration Solutions; C044142:World Health Organization oral rehydration solution; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D005947:Glucose