Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) focuses on replacing lost fluids through Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), breast milk, soups, cereals, and rice water mixed with salt.
Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is the cornerstone of diarrhea treatment in low-resource settings.
This simple mixture of sugar, water, and salt costs as little as ten cents and can be given in the home to rehydrate children who have lost fluids due to diarrhea. A new formulation of ORS with lower sodium and glucose content makes it more efficacious than ever. Clinical benefits of low-osmolarity ORS include reduced stool output, reduced vomiting, and a decreased need for unscheduled and expensive IV therapy.1
In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF issued a joint statement (available on the WHO website) regarding the clinical management of acute diarrhea. This statement recommended the use of low-osmolarity ORS, as well as zinc, as a two-pronged approach to treatment. PATH is working with country partners to implement a comprehensive approach to diarrheal disease control that incorporates new technologies with proven interventions like ORS. For further details, please visit PATH.
1 Hahn S, Kim Y, Garner P. Reduced osmolarity oral rehydration solution for treating dehydration due to diarrhoea in children: Systematic review. British Medical Journal. 2001;323:81–85.