"Oral rehydration therapy in 140 infants suffering from hypernatremic diarrheal dehydration "

Abstract

140 hypernatermic dehydrated infants aged 2-24 months, were hospitalized during at 21 month period. They were treated with oral electrolyte solutions A and B in which the concentration of sodium and potassium was equal (50 mmol/L sodium and 30 mmol/L potassium) but he sodium bicarbonate content differed. The serum sodium concentration returned to normal 48 hours after treatment. Seven cases became hypernatermic and in two cases hyponatermia became symptomatic on admission, 8 cases were hypokalemia, that were corrected 12 hours after treatment. Convulsions occurred in 18 patients (12.8%). Serum bicabonate concentrations, 12 and 48 hours after treatment were not significantly different in those who revived solution A and B (contatining 30 mmol/L and 40 mmol/L respectively). Oral rehydration solution consumed in 72 cases was incorrectly prepared in 29 cases (40.27%). No mortality was recorded. Mean increase in weight was 4.5%, 48 hours after admission and duration of hospitalization was 5.6days.Hydration, hypernatermia, hypokalemia hyponatermia, acidosis and improvement in general condition all occurred in a period of 48 hours