COMPOSITION OF ORAL SOLUTIONS PREPARED BY JAMAICAN MOTHERS FOR TREATMENT OF DIARRHOEA

Abstract

In Jamaica mothers are advised to prepare homemade sugar-salt solutions for treating children with diarrhea. However the composition of solutions prepared by mothers varies dangerously. To reduce errors a double-ended spoon was developed (saltsug spoon). This study compares the composition of salt-sugar solutions prepared by Jamaican mothers according to current health education and those prepared by means of double-ended spoon. 44 mothers attending the University Hospital casualty dept. who had prepared a homemade oral rehydration solution to treat children with diarrhea participated in the study. Analysis of 22 samples of sucrose and glucose solutions prepared by mothers showed that the mean osmolality of the glucose solution was very high (mean 1216 mosmol/l). Mean osmolality of the sucrose solution was lower (mean 809). 6 samples of solutions prepared with a double-ended spoon had a satisfactory osmolality (? 300 mmol/l); 1 was slightly raised. With addition of lime juice or mint tea mean potassium content was 6 mmol/l and osmolality was 782 mosmol/l. Potassium concentration was more than 10 mmol/l in 4 samples flavored with orange. The double-ended spoon proved to be an effective aid for improving the precise preparation of homemade solutions for treatment of diarrhea.