Effectiveness of Packed Rice-Oral Rehydration Solution among Children with Acute Watery Diarrhea
Sukkrawan Intarakhao MD*, Paskorn Sritipsukho MD*, Kwanta Aue-u-lan MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Patumthanee, Thailand
Objective : This study aims to compare the effectiveness between the packed rice-oral rehydration solution (R-ORS) and the
glucose-based oral rehydration solution (G-ORS) in children with acute watery diarrhea.
Material and Method: Randomized control trial was conducted to compare duration of diarrhea, stool frequency, incremen-
tal weight gain, intravenous fluid requirement, and duration of admission. Subjects were 70 pediatric patients (9-60 months-
old) and were equally divided into two groups (n = 35 for each): treatment group (with R-ORS treatment) and control group
(with G-ORS treatment). The data were collected during January 1, 2007 to January 2008. All patients were treated with oral
rehydration therapy within first 4 hours of admission. Intravenous rehydration was also scheduled. Both groups were fed
with rice gruel or lactose-free formula as tolerated.
Results : Using survival analysis, both duration of diarrhea and admission was significantly shortened in the treatment group
compared to the control group. (27.5 hrs vs. 40.5 hrs: p = 0.01 and 40.1 hrs vs. 56.0 hrs: p = 0.02 respectively). However,
stool frequency, incremental weight gain and intravenous fluid requirement between the two groups remained insignificantly
different.
Conclusion : R-ORS was more effective in the management of acute watery diarrhea in children. Duration of diarrhea and
treatment was shortened when compared to G-ORS.
Keywords : Acute watery diarrhea, Rice-based oral rehydration solution (R-ORS), Glucose-based oral rehydration solution (G-ORS).
