Oral Rehydration Therapy: WHO at 40, ORT at 30
Oral rehydration therapy may prove to be mankind's most significant therapeutic advance this century. Diarrheal disease remains the number one killer of children in the world and is a major cause of illness within Canada and other developed countries. Since its discovery 30 years ago, oral rehy...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
1989-01-01
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| Series: | Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1989/138105 |
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| Summary: | Oral rehydration therapy may prove to be mankind's most significant
therapeutic advance this century. Diarrheal disease remains the number one
killer of children in the world and is a major cause of illness within Canada and other
developed countries. Since its discovery 30 years ago, oral rehydration therapy, comprising
glucose, salt and water, has been a simple and low cost treatment for people
with life threatening diarrheal disease. Recent developments in solutions for oral
rehydration therapy have led to the recognition chat the existing World Health Organization
glucose based oral replacement salt could be improved. ln commercially
available rehydration solutions, the sodium concentration has been lowered to reduce
hypernatremia in noncholera induced diarrhea. Citrate has replaced bicarbonate as
the base in oral replacement solutions to pro long shelf life. Organic substrates to
replace glucose and enhance intestinal fluid and electrolyte absorption without osmotic
penalty are being examined. However, their acceptance and proper utilization in
developing countries remains to be determined. |
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| ISSN: | 0835-7900 |