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.
