Oral rehydration salt solution for treating cholera: ≤ 270 mOsm/L solutions vs ≥ 310 mOsm/L solutions
Oral rehydration salt solutions for treating cholera: lower salt content versus higher salt content solutions
Alfred Musekiwa1,2,*, Jimmy Volmink3,4
1 University of the Witwatersrand, Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute (WRHI), Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa
2 South African Cochrane Centre, Medical Research Council of South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
3 Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tygerberg, South Africa
4 Medical Research Council of South Africa, South African Cochrane Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
Oral rehydration salt solution for treating cholera: ≤ 270 mOsm/L solutions vs ≥ 310 mOsm/L solutions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD003754.
To read the full review please follow this link: DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003754.pub3.
Cholera is caused by pathogenic bacteria ingested with contaminated food or water and is commonly found where sanitation measures are poor. It causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to profound dehydration and potentially death. Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is an effective treatment for diarrhoea, and ORS with a salt concentration of ≤ 270 mOsm/L, which has a lower electrolyte content than the earlier ORS ≥ 310 mOsm/L, is safe and more effective in people with non-cholera diarrhoea. This review found that ORS ≤ 270 mOsm/L appears to be as effective as ORS ≥ 310 mOsm/L at rehydrating people with cholera, but may lead to low blood salt levels. More research is needed to better understand these potential safety issues.
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