The benefits of the very early introduction of powdered rice and dried edible seeds (Dal moong) in the oral rehydration solution during the treatment of acute infectious diarrhoea of infancy.

We have examined whether the addition of powdered rice and pulses (Dal moong) to oral rehydration solution will decrease the purging rate and thereby increase the efficacy of the oral rehydration therapy. The study was carried out on 60 male infants, with acute watery diarrhoea, moderate dehydration but without fever, vomiting, or other conditions like septicaemia and meningitis. The infants were treated with either the standard WHO oral rehydration salt solution (ORS) or with a modified solution where glucose was removed and powdered rice and Dal moong were added. We found that the infants receiving ORS with powdered rice and Dal moong had significantly lower fluid losses in the stools, a significant and more rapid weight gain, and needed significantly less fluid than the infants receiving ORS only.