The effect of sodium tetraborate and alum in the management of acute childhood diarrhoea.
The effect of oral rehydration (OR) has been well established in the management of dehydration in acute childhood diarrhoea. Many authors have been trying to find additives of all types which would be effective in retaining oral fluids and promoting their active absorption into the circulation. Any agent which will effectively reduce oral rehydration requirements should be considered for prospective studies. Amongst the traditional medicines, it was noticed that sodium tetraborate (borax) and alum reduced appreciably the fluid requirement in many cases of acute childhood diarrhoea. This traditional usage of these chemicals without any noticeable side effects has been described for centuries. During preliminary observations on 26 of our children given these salts no side effects were detected.
D000534:Alum Compounds; D000535:Aluminum / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001881:Borates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000628:therapy*; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000628:therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005947:Glucose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013431:Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D000534:Alum Compounds; D001639:Bicarbonates; D001881:Borates; D013431:Sulfates; C044142:World Health Organization oral rehydration solution; C041524:aluminum sulfate; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D011189:Potassium Chloride; C010634:sodium borate; D000535:Aluminum; D005947:Glucose