Osmolality and solute concentration—their relationship with oral hydration solution effectiveness: an experimental assessment

ABSTRACT ABSTRACT: The role of electrolyte, carbohydrate, and base composition, as well as osmolality, of oral hydration solutions (OHS), was investigated using a nonabsorbable marker and

tritiated water in an _in vivo_ intestinal perfusion system in rats. The OHS tested were the World Health Organization recommended formula, containing 90 mEq/ liter sodium and 111 mM

glucose, which was taken as the reference solution; five variants of this solution with different sodium and glucose concentrations; and two solutions without sodium, _i.e._ isotonic glucose

and deionized water. Also tested were one solution with acetate in lieu of bicarbonate, and two commercial preparations where citrate substituted for bicarbonate. The best water absorption

rates were obtained with World Health Organization-type OHS characterized by a combination of low osmolality and moderate sodium and glucose content. Hypotonic OHS (190, 220, and 155

mosmol/kg) in which the sodium: glucose ratios were 60:30, 60:60, and 30:55, respectively, produced mean jejunal water transport rates of 3.46, 3.20, and 2.91 μl/min/cm, respectively,

whereas the standard World Health Organization OHS (330 mosmol/kg) resulted in a rate of 1.36 μl/min/cm (_p_ <0.001). Similar good water absorption was achieved when Ac was the base (270

mosmol/kg and 60:111 sodium:glucose ratio) and with one of the commercial solutions (245 mosmol/kg and 50:111 sodium:glucose ratio). The reference World Health Organization OHS allowed for

sodium absorption, as did the OHS with sodium:glucose ratios of 90:45,60:30,60:60, and acetate-containing 60:111. Sodium at a concentration of 30 mEq/liter or less resulted in the efflux of

this electrolyte. High glucose concentration and lower osmolality exacerbated this effect. The results obtained in this investigation may assist in better evaluating OHS and in selecting

modified formulae geared to specific hydration needs and possible replacement of water and sodium losses. SIMILAR CONTENT BEING VIEWED BY OTHERS QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL

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IN CHILDREN CONSUMING REVERSE OSMOSIS, NON REVERSE OSMOSIS, AND HIGH FLUORIDE DRINKING WATER Article Open access 28 March 2025 ARTICLE PDF AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS *

Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, 11030, New York Raul A Wapnir & Fima Lifshitz * Department of Pediatrics, Cornell University Medical College, New

York, 10021, New York Raul A Wapnir & Fima Lifshitz Authors * Raul A Wapnir View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * Fima Lifshitz View

author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Wapnir, R., Lifshitz, F.

Osmolality and Solute Concentration—Their Relationship with Oral Hydration Solution Effectiveness: An Experimental Assessment. _Pediatr Res_ 19, 894–898 (1985).

https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198509000-00004 Download citation * Received: 22 January 1985 * Accepted: 11 April 1985 * Issue Date: 01 September 1985 * DOI:

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