Oral rehydration solution for diarrhoea

A new formula for oral rehydration to treat diarrhoea could prove to be more effective than other methods used in the past, experts have claimed.

Newer polymer-based formulations are being favoured by researchers from the Department of Paediatrics of the Philippine General Hospital at the University of the Philippines.

However, they are calling for more research into findings that suggest replacing sugar and salt in oral rehydration solutions (ORS) with sugar-containing polymers from maize, wheat, rice and sorghum could be a breakthrough.

Germana Gregorio, from the University of the Philippines, said: "More trials comparing polymer-based ORS formulations to the current best agreed formula are needed.

"Glucose-based ORS requires only mixing the contents of a sachet with boiled water, whereas rice, wheat, maize and potatoes are more tedious to prepare. And in humid countries they have to be consumed in a few hours to avoid bacterial contamination."

In developing countries acute diarrhoea is a major problem that causes many deaths.

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