Diarrhoea remains the number two child killer

"Diarrohea is the number two child killer in India and has contributed considerably to the high infant mortality rates in the country but though ORS is the best treatment for the problem, very few patients are opting for it and doctors are also not recommending it,” says Dr M K Bhan of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here.

According to a survey, only 18 per cent Indians take ORS when stuck by the problem.

"A solution of sugar and essential salts, ORS’ goodness has been sidelined not only by the patients but also by doctors who have stopped prescribing it," says Dr Jacob John, president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP).

"There is a perception among the patients that ORS is too simple and is a government product and hence ineffective thus they look for antibiotics and doctors are too happy to prescribe it, say John.

"The simplicity of the product and its easy availability has actually served as stumbling block for the solution and the project aims to educate both the doctors and the chemists and through them the average patient that rehydrating solution is the best cure for all times to come, he says.

According to pediatricians, antibiotics have no positive effect and actually suppresses the toxins.

Though there are 32 brands of ORS in the market, doctors say it is important to have the right brand with the right proportion as excess of salt or glucose may do more damage.

IAP has recommended a World Health Organisation (WHO) formulation that is supposed to be highly effective but in India several ORS brands available do not conform to this composition, say doctors.

"They do not have the right formulation of ORS and though they may be of some help, it is always better to go for the correct composition to arrest the loss of fluids, says Dr Bhan.

"To arrest diarrohea, a complete package of replacement is needed and an excess of glucose or sodium, which many Indian companies have, is not advisable, says Bhan.

And though home made solution should be taken in emergencies, Bhan says that given the option a packaged’ solution should be trusted.

"Although home made ORS is good, it is not the best. At home a lot of vital ingredients are not available which a complete replacement packet can supplement," he says.

But doctors say that the first step is educating people to take fluids in whatever form as more than 30 per cent of people have not heard about ORS.

IAP plans to educate pediatricians and the companies marketing the product throughout the country over the benefits of ORS.