Oral Rehydration Salts Production

Abstract

Acute diarrhoeal diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality in infants and young children in many countries. In most cases, death is caused by dehydration. Dehydration from diarrhoea can be treated simply, effectively, and cheaply in all age-groups and in all but the most severe cases by administering an adequate glucose- electrolyte solution orally. This way of administering fluids to prevent or treat dehydration is called oral rehydration therapy (ORT). ORT, combined with guidance on appropriate feeding practices, is the main strategy recommended by the WHO Diarrhoeal Diseases Control (CDD) Programme to achieve a reduction in diarrhoea-related mortality and malnutrition in children.