Dear Marcia,

Good for you for playing devil's advocate. The problem with glucose water is that it is only usually 5% glucose. This means 5grams of sugar per 100cc water (3.33oz). Since sugar is only about 20 kcal per 5 grams That's about 20 kilocalories per 100cc or about 6-7 kilocalories per oz compared with 20kcal per oz for breastmilk or formula. As a result, the child may be rehydrated but will also be starved for calories. This isn't usually what you want to do to an infant who is already behind the 8-ball so to speak.

In cases of SEVERE dehydration, glucose water is also a bad idea because it does not contain any salts. As a result, you are replacing salt and water losses with just water. The total amount of salt in the body will fall resulting in seizures. This is where the idea of oral rehydration solution came from- to prevent this from happening.

There are no stupid questions and it's important to look at all angles of an issue.

Kate
(Who just finished asking a bunch of  VERY basic questions herself about the mechanics of breastfeeding.)

Kate McIntosh MD FAAP
Benzonia, MI
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