Dear all:


 WHO and UNICEF recommend AGAINST flavorings and colorings in ORS. So gatorade is really not the best oral rehydration solution and mothers can make up a simple homemade solution that does not contain the dyes in gartorade.

In my experience, the solution tastes horrible if you are reasonably well hydrated and tastes terrible if you are severely dehydrated.  Furthermore, when I did a small study in Peru on parents who used the homemade solution versus the packets, they usually offered the homemade solution when their babies were not severely dehydrated and used the packets when they were.

Here is the formula recommended by WHO copied from their website. The other ingredients are potassium chloride and trisodium citrate. 

What is ORT?
ORT is the giving of fluid by mouth to prevent and/or correct the dehydration that is a result of diarrhoea. As soon as diarrhoea begins, treatment using home remedies to prevent dehydration must be started. If adults or children have not been given extra drinks, or if in spite of this dehydration does occur, they must be treated with a special drink made with oral rehydration salts (ORS). The formula for ORS recommended by WHO and UNICEF contains:

    * 2.6 gms sodium chloride
    * 13.5 gms glucose (anhydrous)
    * 1.5 gms potassium chloride  
    * 2.9 gms trisodium citrate, dihydrate

The above ingredients are dissolved in one litre of clean water. This new formula gives the packets a longer shelf life and is at least as effective in correcting acidosis and reducing stool volume. Packets containing sodium bicarbonate are still safe and effective.

*******************
If packets of ORS are not available, then the homemade solution is as follows:

1 liter of water
1/2 teaspoon table salt
6 level tablespoons of sugar

When making up the solution, it is extremely important to accurately measure all ingredients.

Best regards, Susan Burger


 

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