ORT in diarrhoea: An overview

Abstract

Abstract:

This paper attempts to summarize the development of ORT (Oral Rehydration Therapy) and its role as the major public health intervention for the control of diarrhoeal diseases. It also highlights the large number of scientific studies conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution). Improved ORS formulations trial including hypoosmolar solutions are described as these are areas of recent clinical studies that address the drawbacks in WHO/UNICEF ORS. However, until new ORS formulations are evaluated and implemented, the present glucose-based ORS does still save millions of lives and need to be recommended for all forms of dehydrating diarrhoea. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 1995;9(3):192-198]