Clinical Concerns About Reduced-Osmolarity Oral Rehydration Solution

Nalin et al determine clinical concerns about reduced-osmolarity in oral rehydration solution. Result shows that the goal of reducing rates of unscheduled intravenous fluids and diarrhea rate and duration in patients with cholera and nonvibrio cholera is best met in controlled settings with a separate oral solution, such as that containing glucose plus glycine or rice-based substrate, with electrolyte concentrations that maintain electrolyte balance and avoid hyponatremia. Such solutions are clearly more effective in cholera patients than either of the World Health Organization solutions.