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Review
. 2023 Dec 18:11:1294490.
doi: 10.3389/fped.2023.1294490. eCollection 2023.

Acute gastroenteritis-changes to the recommended original oral rehydrating salts: a review

Carlos Lifschitz  1 , Oleksii Kozhevnikov  2 , Christine Oesterling  3 , Amira Anbar  4 , Steven Walker  5
Affiliations
Review

Acute gastroenteritis-changes to the recommended original oral rehydrating salts: a review

Carlos Lifschitz et al. Front Pediatr. .

Abstract

The World Health Organization recommended a formulation of oral rehydration salts as the intervention of choice for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis. While of value for the replacement of fluids and electrolytes, the formulation does not reduce stool volume, frequency, or symptom duration. This may prevent wide acceptance. To increase tolerability, shorten the duration of diarrhea and improve parental quality of life, several modifications to the original formula have been proposed. These include; low osmolarity, rice-based, glucose polymers as an alternative to glucose, the addition of probiotics, prebiotics and/or zinc, and various other ingredients. Here we summarize evidence regarding such changes and additions.

Keywords: acute gastroenteritis (AGE); low osmolar oral rehydration solution; oral rehydrating solution; probiotics and prebiotics; review; rotavirus diarrhea; zinc.

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Conflict of interest statement

CL received an honorarium from MedibiotiX GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany. OK is employed by MedibiotiX GmbH (MBX), Baden-Baden, Germany. AA and SW are employees of St Gilesmedical Ltd. St Gilesmedical GmbH has received funding from MBX GmbH and Heel GmbH in support of health-related projects. The remaining author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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