A comparison of rice-based oral rehydration solution and "early feeding" for the treatment of acute diarrhea in infants.
To compare the use of rice-based oral rehydration solution (R-ORS), with the introduction of food immediately after rehydration ("early feeding"), using standard glucose-based oral rehydration solution (G-ORS) in the management of acute diarrhea, we conducted a four-cell randomized, controlled trial among 200 hospitalized Egyptian infants between 3 and 18 months of age. During the rehydration phase (first 4 hours), three groups were given G-ORS and a fourth group was given R-ORS. During the subsequent maintenance phase, the control group was given a soy-based, lactose-free formula (G-ORS + SF), a second group (G-ORS + RF) was given a rice-based formula, and a third group (G-ORS + rice) was given boiled rice. The fourth group (R-ORS + SF) continued to receive R-ORS for the first 24 hours of the maintenance period, followed by a soy-based lactose-free formula. During the first and second 24 hours of the maintenance period, infants in the three treatment groups had a lower mean stool output in comparison with the control group (p = 0.006 and 0.03, respectively). The mean total stool output in the R-ORS + SF group was significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.02). There were no statistically significant differences among the four groups in the mean duration of diarrhea. We conclude that (1) infants who were given R-ORS had reduced total stool output (by 35%) compared with the control group and (2) feeding of boiled rice or a rice-based formula immediately after rehydration therapy was as efficacious as treatment with R-ORS alone for 24 hours, followed by feeding with a soy-based, lactose-free formula.
Santosham
M
M
Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Fayad
I M
IM
Hashem
M
M
Goepp
J G
JG
Refat
M
M
Sack
R B
RB
D000208:Acute Disease; D003681:Dehydration / Q000628:therapy; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005243:Feces; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D012275:Oryza; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D013025:Glycine max; D013997:Time Factors
D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D012964:Sodium; D005947:Glucose; D011188:Potassium