Prevention and Correction of Dysnatremia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Dysnatremia occurs commonly in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The mechanisms for development of sodium dyshomeostasis are complex, including the cerebral salt-wasting syndrome, the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, diabetes insipidus. Iatrogenic occurrence of altered sodium levels plays a role, as sodium homeostasis is tightly linked to fluid and volume management. METHODS: Narrative review of the literature. RESULTS: Many studies have aimed to identify factors predictive of the development of dysnatremia, but data on associations between dysnatremia and demographic and clinical variables are variable. Furthermore, although a clear relationship between serum sodium serum concentrations and outcomes has not been established-poor outcomes have been associated with both hyponatremia and hypernatremia in the immediate period following aSAH and set the basis for seeking interventions to correct dysnatremia. While sodium supplementation and mineralocorticoids are frequently administered to prevent or counter natriuresis and hyponatremia, evidence to date is insufficient to gauge the effect of such treatment on outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In this article, we reviewed available data and provide a practical interpretation of these data as a complement to the newly issued guidelines for management of aSAH. Gaps in knowledge and future directions are discussed.

Glyphosate poisoning - a case report.

Glyphosate is the most commonly used broad-spectrum, non-selective herbicide in the world. The toxicity is supposed to be due to uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and the surfactant polyoxyethylene amine (POEA)- mediated cardiotoxicity. Clinical features of this herbicide poisoning are varied, ranging from asymptomatic to even death. There is no antidote and aggressive supportive therapy is the mainstay of treatment for glyphosate poisoning. We present a 69-year-old female patient with suicidal consumption of around 500 ml of Glycel®. Initially, gastric lavage was done and intravenous fluids were given. Within two hours of presentation, the patient developed respiratory distress needing intubation, hypotension needing vasopressor support, and severe lactic acidosis. She also developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, hypokalemia, hypernatremia, and aspiration pneumonia. Our patient was critically ill with multiple poor prognostic factors, but with timely aggressive supportive management, the patient gradually recovered.

Case Study: Extreme Weight Making Causes Relative Energy Deficiency, Dehydration, and Acute Kidney Injury in a Male Mixed Martial Arts Athlete.

The aim of the present case study was to quantify the physiological and metabolic impact of extreme weight cutting by an elite male mixed martial arts athlete. Throughout an 8-week period, we obtained regular assessments of body composition, resting metabolic rate, peak oxygen uptake, and blood clinical chemistry to assess endocrine status, lipid profiles, hydration, and kidney function. The athlete adhered to a "phased" weight loss plan consisting of 7 weeks of reduced energy (ranging from 1,300 to 1,900 kcal/day) intake (Phase 1), 5 days of water loading with 8 L/day for 4 days followed by 250 ml on Day 5 (Phase 2), 20 hr of fasting and dehydration (Phase 3), and 32 hr of rehydration and refueling prior to competition (Phase 4). Body mass declined by 18.1% (80.2 to 65.7 kg) corresponding to changes of 4.4, 2.8, and 7.3 kg in Phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. We observed clear indices of relative energy deficiency, as evidenced by reduced resting metabolic rate (-331 kcal), inability to complete performance tests, alterations to endocrine hormones (testosterone: <3 nmol/L), and hypercholesterolemia (>6 mmol/L). Moreover, severe dehydration (reducing body mass by 9.3%) in the final 24 hr prior to weigh-in-induced hypernatremia (plasma sodium: 148 mmol/L) and acute kidney injury (serum creatinine: 177 µmol/L). These data, therefore, support publicized reports of the harmful (and potentially fatal) effects of extreme weight cutting in mixed martial arts athletes and represent a call for action to governing bodies to safeguard the welfare of mixed martial arts athletes.

Metabolic changes after licorice consumption: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Licorice, also known as liquorice, refers to the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., a product widely available in the market in the form of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO), which is a concentrate of licorice flavonoids, being a dietary ingredient for functional foods with potential benefits for overweight subjects. PURPOSE: To summarize the results of the numerous clinical trials, and to clarify the metabolic changes after licorice consumption, through a systematic review with meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) of clinical trials. METHODS: This review was designed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) recommendations. Several electronic databases were searched to identify the clinical trials. A meta-analysis approach was then developed to statistically analyze the results, followed by TSA and meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: A total 26 clinical trials were considered for the quantitative synthesis of the data, totalizing 985 patients enrolled. Overall, it was possible to verify that the licorice consumption significantly reduces the body weight (WMD: -0.433 kg; 95% CI: -0.683 to -0.183; p-value = 0.001) and consequently the body mass index (BMI) of patients (WMD: -0.150 kg/m2; 95% CI: -0.241 to -0.058; p-value = 0.001). Another result with statistical significance was the increase in the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (1.737 mmHg; 95% CI: 0.835 to 2.621; p-value < 0.0001) observed for the group subjected to licorice consumption, which is related to the hypernatremia also caused by licorice. CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis demonstrated the positive effects of licorice consumption on the reduction of body weight and BMI of patients. However, the results also show the increase in blood pressure of patients associated with the hypernatremia caused by licorice. Consequently, licorice consumption should be avoided by hypertensive patients.

[MODERN APPROACHES TO CORRECTION OF HYPERNATREMIA IN NEUROSURGICAL PATIENTS].

The article presents the analysis of the intensive therapy through the correction of persistent hypernatremia in neurosurgical patients after removal of brain tumors. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of Sterofundin in the framework of complex therapy of hypernatremia in neurosurgical patients after removal of brain tumors. We analyzed the dynamics of the concentrations of sodium, potassium, chorus of the plasma, anion gap and buffer bases in the postoperative period of these patients. For obtaining reliable results, the patients were divided into groups according to the nature of the treatment: Sterofundin and symptomatic correction of hypotonic solution of sodium chloride, saluretic and Verospiron respectively. In a comparison between the groups, a distinct difference in the speed of regression of hypernatremia and durability of the achieved effect was observed. In case of treatment with Sterofundin there was a significant decrease of hypernatremia by the end of the second day of the postoperative period without tendency to re-raise. The prevalence of hypotonic solutions of sodium chloride and potassium-sparing saluretics in intensive care allowed reducing the sodium concentration non-persistently to the fourth day on the background of significant fluctuations in its concentration. The use of Sterofundin in complex therapy of electrolyte disturbances, particularly of hypernatremia in neurosurgical patients after removal of brain tumors, is reflected in the form of significant regression of increased sodium concentration in plasma compared with the method of use "hypotonic" hemodilution, saluretics and potassium-sparing diuretics.

[Disturbances of water metabolism in two dogs and one cat with central nervous system disorders]. / Störungen des Wasserhaushaltes bei zwei Hunden und einer Katze mit ZNS-Erkrankungen.

Hypernatremia due to different pathophysiological mechanisms results in a rise in plasma osmolality. Dependent on its severity and on the speed of its development hyperosmolality can be life-threatening. This article describes 2 dogs and 1 cat with central nervous system disorders (adenoma of the pituitary gland, cerebral trauma). All patients developed normovolemic hypernatremia due to pituitary gland and hypothalamus dysfunction, respectively. Plasma sodium concentrations ranged from 163 to 185 mmol/l. Neurological examinations revealed lethargy, disturbances of consciousness, and ataxia, respectively. The dogs had to be euthanased due to the grave prognosis, the cat with cerebral trauma survived.

Le développement d'une hypenatrémie peut avoir plusieurs mécanismes patho-physiologiques. Dans ces cas, il se produit toujours une élévation de l'osmolarité du plasma. Selon l'importance de l'hypernatrémie et la vitesse de l'apparition, une hyperosmolarité peut mettre la vie en danger. Dans le présent article, on décrit des affections du système nerveux central chez deux chiens (adénome de l'hypophyse) et un chat (trauma crânien) ayant développé une hypernatrémie normovolémique suite à un dysfonctionnement de l'hypophyse ou de l'hypothalamus. Les concentrations plasmatiques de sodium étaient comprises entre 163 et 185 mmol/l. Les animaux présentaient de la léthargie, des troubles de la conscience et de l'ataxie. Vu le mauvais pronostic, les chiens ont dû être euthanasiés, le chat victime d'un traumatisme crânien a survécu.

Severe hypernatremia from a urea-induced diuresis due to body protein wasting in an insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic patient.

CONTEXT: Hypernatremia is encountered after pituitary or hypothalamic surgery and typically is secondary to vasopressin deficiency resulting in increased free water clearance with inadequate water replacement. OBJECTIVE: We report a type 2 diabetic patient with severe hypernatremia (Na⁺ = 161 mEq/L) after hypothalamic surgery. Unexpectedly, this was accompanied by persistent urinary hypertonicity and negative total but positive electrolyte free water clearance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Measurement of urinary electrolytes and urea revealed that an osmotic diuresis induced by urea derived principally by breakdown of endogenous protein was causative. Body protein losses over 48 hours were estimated to exceed 2 kg of lean mass. High-dose glucocorticoid, insulin resistance, and a postsurgical catabolic stress likely contributed. CONCLUSION: In surgically severely stressed individuals, proteolysis of endogenous protein can strongly impact body water metabolism and contribute to severe hypernatremia.

Isotonic versus hypotonic fluid supplementation in term neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia - a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

AIM: To compare the incidence of hyponatremia in full-term neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia, receiving intravenous fluid supplementation with 0.2% saline in 5% dextrose versus 0.9% saline in 5% dextrose, to prevent blood exchange transfusion (BET). METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, full-term newborns (≥37 weeks), appropriate for gestational age, with severe non-haemolytic hyperbilirubinemia (serum bilirubin ≥ 20 mg/dL) were enrolled. Eligible neonates were randomized to receive either 0.2% saline in 5% dextrose (hypotonic fluid group) or 0.9% saline in 5% dextrose (isotonic fluid group) over 8 hrs, in addition to phototherapy. The primary outcome was proportion of neonates developing hyponatremia (serum Na < 135 mmol/L) after 8 h. RESULTS: Forty-two neonates were analysed in each group. Proportion of neonates developing hyponatremia after 8 h was higher in hypotonic fluid group as compared to isotonic fluid group (48.8% vs. 10.5%, p < 0.001). However, a larger proportion in isotonic fluid group developed hypernatremia (39.5% vs. 12.2%, p < 0.001). The rate of BET was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: In full-term neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia, administration of hypotonic fluid to prevent BET was associated with a higher incidence of hyponatremia while isotonic fluid was associated with an increased incidence of hypernatremia.

Stiletto stabbing: penetrating injury to the hypothalamus with hyperacute diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a well documented complication observed after traumatic head injuries. We report a case of hyperacute onset DI in a 19-year-old male who sustained a hypothalamic-pituitary injury when he was stabbed in the head with a 30-cm long thin-bladed knife. At CT, our patient showed significant hemorrhagic contusions of the lower hypothalamus. He developed polydipsia, polyuria, and mild hypernatremia in the Emergency Department. Diagnostic digital subtraction angiography showed a hypervascular congestive pituitary gland with prominent draining veins. On the third day his hypernatremia became severe (183mEq/L). He was managed with parenteral fluids and a regimen of intranasal DDAVP (1-desamino 8-d-arginine vasopressin), leading to improved plasmatic sodium levels, urine output, and urinary specific gravity. In patients presenting with hyperacute posttraumatic DI, emergency room physicians and neurosurgeons should rule out direct injury to the hypothalamus and/or the posterior lobe of the pituitary, and initiate early pharmacological treatment.

Severe hypernatremia in newborns due to salting.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the etiology, clinical, and laboratory findings and prognostic features of life-threatening hypernatremic newborns secondary to salting. Ten severely hypernatremic newborns (four females) with a mean age of 6.5 +/- 2.6 days were followed up. Nine of them were full term, and one was preterm. It was noticeable that 60% of them were small for gestational age. In the laboratory investigation, five uremias were detected. It was interesting to find in the etiologic history that 40% of the patients had been salted just after birth. Twenty percent of them had also hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus, 20% had neonatal convulsion, and 50% had dehydration. Two of the hypernatremic newborns died during the study; the others were followed up. One case had spasticity and developmental disability at the 3rd month, and another one had developmental disability at the 6th month of ages. As a conclusion, although salting of newborns is not so frequent, it could be seen in rural places of our country, and this may be one of the reasons for serious hypernatremia in newborns whose skin integrity have not been formed completely. These cases should be treated carefully.

Therapeutic approach to electrolyte emergencies.

Hypokalemia, hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypocalcemia, and hypercalcemia are commonly seen in emergency medicine. Severe abnormalities in any of these electrolytes can cause potentially life-threatening consequences to the patient. It is essential that the clinician understand and correct (if possible) the underlying cause of each disorder and recognize the importance of the rates of correction, especially with serum sodium disorders. The recommended doses in this article might have to be adjusted to the individual patient, and these modifications must be adjusted again to the pathophysiology of the primary underlying disorder.

Alteraciones electrolíticas inducidas por la preparación para los estudios de imagen del colon / Electrolyte disorders following colonic cleansing for imaging studies

Fundamento y objetivo: La limpieza intestinal es imprescindible para que los estudios de imagen del colon sean eficaces. Sin embargo, no está exenta de riesgos. En particular, recientemente se ha llamado la atención sobre la posibilidad de que ocasione alteraciones del metabolismo fosfocálcico. Este estudio se ha diseñado para evaluar sistemáticamente estas alteraciones en pacientes hospitalizados. Pacientes y método: Se ha realizado un estudio observacional prospectivo en un entorno de práctica hospitalaria habitual. Se incluyó en él a los pacientes hospitalizados consecutivos que iban a ser sometidos a un estudio endoscópico o radiológico del colon (n = 47). La preparación previa se llevó a cabo, según el criterio del médico a cargo del paciente, con uno de los 3 preparados siguientes: solución de polietilenglicol (PEG) con baja concentración de sales, fosfato sódico por vía oral (Fosfosoda®) o fosfato sódico en enemas. Resultados: La solución de PEG indujo frecuentemente hipernatremia e hipopotasemia ligeras, sin alterar la homeostasia fosfocálcica. El fosfato sódico oral provocó además un aumento significativo de la fosfatemias y un descenso de la calcemia, con un incremento compensador de la hormona paratiroidea. El 57% de los pacientes presentó valores de fósforo por encima del intervalo de referencia, mientras el 36% presentó calcemias inferiores al límite normal. El fosfato sódico en enemas no provocó cambios en las concentraciones de sodio y potasio, pero también aumentó significativamente la fosfatemia y la hormona paratiroidea. En un 33% de los casos provocó hiperfosfatemia. Aunque los cambios globales de la calcemia no fueron estadísticamente significativos, en un 27% de los pacientes que recibió enemas la concentración de calcio se redujo por debajo del límite inferior de la normalidad. Conclusiones: Las preparaciones de limpieza intestinal, en particular las basadas en el fosfato oral, se asocian frecuentemente a alteraciones electrolíticas. Aunque en general son autolimitadas y sin repercusión clínica, estas complicaciones deben tenerse en cuenta en pacientes de riesgo, como los ancianos y los que presentan insuficiencia renal

Background and objective: An adequate bowel cleansing is needed prior to radiologic and endoscopic procedures. However, it may have a number of adverse effects, including abnormalities of calcium-phosphorus homeostasis. Patients and method: This was an observational prospective study in a hospital practice setting. We included consecutive inpatients (n = 47) subjected to a barium enema or colon endoscopy. Prior cleansing was done as indicated by the attending physician by using a low-salt oral poliethylenglicol (PEG) solution, oral sodium phosphate or a phosphate-containing enema. Results: PEG solution frequently caused mild increases in serum sodium, and decreases in serum potassium. Oral phosphate caused a significant increase in serum phosphorus and parathormone concentrations, whereas it decreased serum calcium. Mild hyperphosphatemia was found in 57% of cases, and hypocalcemia in 36%. Phosphate enema also increased serum phosphate, causing mild hyperphosphatemia (33% cases). Although in the whole subgroup of enema-treated patients there were no significant changes in serum calcium, mild hypocalcemia was found in 27% cases. Conclusions: Bowel cleansing procedures, particularly those using oral phosphate salts, frequently induce hyperphosphatemia and other abnormalities in serum electrolytes. Although usually transitory and without overt clinical consequences, clinicians should be aware of this potential risk, especially in elderly patients and those with impaired renal function

A comparison of the effect of 1.5% glycine and 5% glucose irrigants on plasma serum physiology and the incidence of transurethral resection syndrome during prostate resection.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in the pathophysiology and frequency of the transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome with two irrigation fluids, as variable amounts of irrigation fluid are absorbed during TUR of the prostate (TURP), and although polar solutes are required to prevent an effect on diathermy, the solutes may have effects when absorbed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 2001 and March 2003, 250 patients were included in a prospective randomized trial comparing glycine 1.5% with 5% glucose irrigation fluids. We measured blood loss, fluid absorption, temperature change, biochemistry including a glycine assay, and peri-operative symptoms. Blood samples were taken immediately before and immediately, 5 and 24 h after TURP. Irrigating fluid absorption during TURP was measured with 1% ethanol as a marker and breath ethanol measurements. Operative details were recorded, including the type of anaesthesia (with or with no sedation), resection time and weight of resected tissue. Peri-operative symptoms were documented prospectively. TUR syndrome was defined as a serum sodium level of < or = 125 mmol/L with two or more associated symptoms or signs of TUR syndrome. RESULTS: Five (2%) patients had TUR syndrome; all five were irrigated with glycine, although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). Of the five men, three had hypotension, four were tired, one was nauseous, two had parasthesia, two had 'uneasiness', one had blurred vision and two were confused; none had chest pain. There was a large variation between the groups in the level of glycine assayed immediately after TURP; a high glycine level was associated with the TUR syndrome (P = 0.01). There was no difference between the groups in levels of sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, osmolality, calcium, haematocrit, albumin serum levels or peri-operative blood loss (defined as a change from before to after TURP in haemoglobin level, accounting for transfusions). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in serum glycine was associated with TUR syndrome; there were large variations in the amounts of glycine absorbed, reaching levels many times the upper limit of normal. In other studies, glycine was reportedly toxic, and that the levels recorded were many times the upper limit of normal may have both immediate and long-term effects.

Metabolic findings after colocystoplasty in children.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether colocystoplasty has resulted in metabolic changes in the growing child during long-term follow-up according to whether cecum with ascending or sigmoid colon was used. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (mean age at surgery 11 years) were included in the study and divided into two groups: group 1, cystoplasty with cecum and ascending colon (12 patients) and group 2, sigmoid cystoplasty (16 patients). Patients' linear growth, body mass index, and the following parameters were estimated before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months, and then yearly after surgery: blood and urine electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium), creatinine, urea, blood gases, blood pH, urine pH, and blood alkaline phosphatase (ALP). All the data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In group 1, the blood ALP increased significantly (P = 0.026) during follow-up. Severe metabolic acidosis with or without hyperchloremia was found in 7 patients. In group 2, the serum sodium and serum calcium levels decreased significantly (P = 0.014 and P = 0.003, respectively); however, the blood ALP, urine sodium, and urine phosphorus levels increased significantly (P = 0.033, P = 0.027, and P = 0.026, respectively) during follow-up. A statistically significant decrease in blood pH (P = 0.022) was found after surgery. Severe metabolic acidosis with or without hyperchloremia was detected in 5 patients. The average linear growth decreased significantly (P = 0.001 and P = 0.016, respectively) 1 and 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The statistically significant increase in blood ALP and decrease in serum calcium indicate bone demineralization after colocystoplasty. Our investigations in children suggest that bone demineralization is more frequent after sigmoid cystoplasty than after the use of cecum and ascending colon.

Chronic hypernatremia derived from hypothalamic dysfunction: impaired secretion of arginine vasopressin and enhanced renal water handling.

We analyzed the disorder of water metabolism in a 32 year-old female with chronic hypernatremia. She had meningitis at 4 years, and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation at 13 years because of normal pressure hydrocephalus. At 14 years hypernatremia of 166 mmol/l was initially found and thereafter hypernatremia ranging from 150 to 166 mmol/l has been persisted for the last 18 years. Physical and laboratory findings did not show dehydration. Urine volume was 750-1700 ml per day and urinary osmolality (Uosm) 446-984 mmol/kg, suggesting no urinary concentrating defect. Plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels ranged from 0.4 to 1.2 pmol/l despite hyperosmolality of 298 through 343 mmol/kg under ad libitum water drinking. There was no correlation between plasma osmolality (Posm) and plasma AVP levels, but Uosm had a positive correlation with Posm (r=0.545, P < 0.05). Hypertonic saline (500 NaCl) infusion after a water load increased Uosm from 377 to 679 mmol/kg, and plasma AVP from 0.2 to 1.3 pmol/l. There was a positive correlation between Posm and plasma AVP levels in the hypertonic saline test (r=0.612, P<0.05). In contrast, an acute water load (20 ml/kg BW) verified the presence of impaired water excretion, as the percent excretion of the water load was only 8.5% and the minimal Uosm was as high as 710 mmol/kg. Urinary excretion of aquaporin-2 remained low in concert with plasma AVP levels. No abnormality in pituitary-adrenocortical function was found. These results indicate that marked hypernatremia is derived from partial central diabetes insipidus and elevated threshold of thirst, and that enhanced renal water handling may contribute to maintenance of body water in the present subject.

Liquorice-induced sodium retention. Merely an acquired condition of apparent mineralocorticoid excess? A case report.

Excessive ingestion of liquorice may result in sodium retention, hypertension, hypokalemia, and suppression of renin and aldosterone. Similarities between liquorice-induced effects and congenital apparent mineralocorticoid excess have recently been emphasized, as in both conditions, reduced activity of the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 allows cortisol to act as a potent mineralocorticoid. We report a case of generalized edema without any increase in blood pressure, with biochemical and hormonal features of apparent mineralocorticoid excess, in a young woman who had been ingesting substantial amounts of liquorice for several years. Liquorice-induced wide-spread edema without hypertension in our patient, as well as in a few other cases previously reported, and the more common occurrence of edema associated with hypertension challenge the current explanation of liquorice syndrome as a purely acquired apparent mineralocorticoid excess. Indeed, in both congenital apparent and true mineralocorticoid excess, edema is typically absent, as a result of the sodium escape phenomenon. As pressure-natriuresis may be an essential mechanism accounting for the sodium escape phenomenon, some component of liquorice could partially or completely oppose the circulatory response that converts liquorice-induced sodium retention into blood pressure elevation. In patients with unexplained generalized edema and hypokalemia without hypertension, liquorice ingestion should be carefully investigated and the renin-aldosterone system should be assayed.

Carob bean juice: a powerful adjunct to oral rehydration solution treatment in diarrhoea.

In children, the treatment of acute diarrhoea with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard oral rehydration solution (ORS) provides effective rehydration but does not reduce the severity of diarrhoea. In community practice, carob bean has been used to treat diarrhoeal diseases in Anatolia since ancient times. In order to test clinical antidiarrhoeal effects of carob bean juice (CBJ), 80 children, aged 4-48 months, who were admitted to SSK Tepecik Teaching Hospital with acute diarrhoea and mild or moderate dehydration, were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either standard WHO ORS alone or a combination of standard WHO ORS and CBJ. Three patients were excluded from the study because of excessive vomiting. In the children receiving ORS + CBJ the duration of diarrhoea was shortened by 45%, stool output was reduced by 44% and ORS requirement was decreased by 38% compared with children receiving ORS alone. Weight gain was similar in the two groups at 24 h after the initiation of the study. Hypernatraemia was detected in three patients in the ORS group but in none of those in the ORS + CBJ group. The use of CBJ in combination with ORS did not lead to any clinical metabolic problem. We therefore conclude that CBJ may have a role in the treatment of children's diarrhoea after it has been technologically processed, and that further studies would be justified.