The use of Ringer's lactate in the treatment of children with cholera and acute noncholera diarrhoea

Abstract

Two regimens of fluid and electrolyte therapy were studied in children with severe cholera and noncholera diarrhoea. In one, lactated Ringer's solution was the sole intravenous fluid, additional water, glucose, and potassium being given by mouth. In the other, three different intravenous solutions were employed to meet all fluid and electrolyte requirements. The response to therapy was satisfactory with each regimen. Because of prolonged stupor or vomiting about 15% of children treated by the first regimen were unable to ingest a sufficient quantity of glucose solution by mouth, and intravenous supplementation with a hypotonic glucose-saline solution was necessary. It is concluded that lactated Ringer's solution is suitable as the sole intravenous solution for children with acute cholera and noncholera diarrhoea provided oral supplementation, as described, is possible. The study also provides useful observations on the means of evaluating fluid requirements in such children and specific guidelines for such therapy.