Abstract

PIP: All children with diarrhea aged up to 5 years and residing in 2 communities (community B was the study, community M the control) in a province in the Philippines were studied to test the hypothesis that an oral glucose-electrolyte solution (Oresol) used freely for outpatient children with diarrhea would improve their nutritional status. Both communities were given nutrition education and emphasis was placed on feeding and the provision of fluids during diarrheal attacks. Only in community B was a glucose-electrolyte mixture used. There were 519 children had had 710 separate bouts of diarrhea during 7 months of observation. Oresol was associated with a relative weight gain in relation to the Philippine median. The increase averaged a statistically significant 3% in the 1-5 year age group but not in those under 1 year of age. The effect on relative weight gain was apparent 1 to 2 months after an attack of diarrhea. In contrast, the children in the control community lost relative weight. Oresol-administered children gained nearly twice as much weight during a diarrheal attack compared to those not given Oresol. The Oresol-induced weight gain may reflect better hydration, lower catabolism, or both. However, the relationship between weight gain during an attack and long-term relative weight gain is not clear. There were no side effects observed. Oresol administration did not significantly reduce hospitalization, mainly due to the design of the study. The introduction of packaged powders like Oresol in areas where the ingredients for an oral glucose electrolyte solution are not available or prescribed may help reduce the incidence of serious dehydration.