Rice Solution and World Health Organization Solution by Gastric Infusion for High Stool Output Diarrhea

• We sought to determine the efficacy of three different types of treatment in children with acute diarrhea who, during the oral rehydration period, had high stool output (>10 mL/kg per hour). Sixty-six children, aged 1 to 18 months, with an average stool output of 22.6 mL/kg per hour were randomly distributed into three groups: group 1 received a rice flour solution, group 2 received the World Health Organization rehydration solution by gastric infusion, and group 3 continued to receive this solution orally. In all three groups, a decrease in stool output was observed, with the higher decrease observed in group 1 patients. Such a decrease facilitated rehydration of all 22 patients in group 1 (100%) in 3.3±1.5 hours, 16 (73%) in group 2 in 4.3±2.1 hours, and 15 (69%) in group 3 in 4.9±2.0 hours. No complications were observed. These data indicate that the rice flour solution is effective in children with high stool output diarrhea.

(AJDC. 1991;145:937-940)