BIOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF HOME MADE FLUIDS AND THEIR ACCEPTABILITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIARRHEA IN CHILDREN IN THE GEZIRA STATE, SUDAN

OBJECTIVES: To determine the biochemical constitution of homemade fluids and assess their acceptability and efficacy for the management of acute diarrhea in Sudanese children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of 150 children selected randomly. The fluids studied were 36 samples of sorghum-based solutions (nasha) and 10 samples of rice water. Samples were randomly collected from households and analyzed to determine the pH, carbohydrates, proteins, fat, crude fiber, ash and electrolytes (Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-)). RESULTS: In addition to being very useful for rehydration, the two fluids were found to contain considerable amounts of nutrients. The sodium and chloride contents of homemade fluids were found to be much lower than those of the WHO/UNICEF ORS (oral rehydration solution). These electrolytes can be adjusted by adding table salt (3-3.5 g NaCl to one litre of sorghum-based solution and 2.3-2.6 g NaCl to one liter of rice water) to bring them to concentration comparable to that of the standard ORS. CONCLUSION: Homemade solutions can be modified by adding table salt to bring them to the standard ORS and can be used successfully to prevent dehydration. This will solve the problem of the availability of ORS and reduce morbidity and mortality from diarrhea.