Labon-gur (common salt and brown sugar) oral rehydration solution in the treatment of diarrhoea in adults

A clinical trial was carried out on 50 adult patients in Dacca, Bangladesh; with moderate dehydration due to diarrhoea of varying oetiology to observe the efficacy of an oral solution containing only common salt (labon) and unrefined sugar (gur). Failure was defined as not correcting initial dehydration, not maintaining hydration or developing an electrolyte imbalance at any time during the study period. Volume loss was corrected in less than 8 hours by drinking the labon-gur solution. Acidosis (CO₂ less than 20 mEq/l) was not corrected in 20% of patients even after 48 hours of therapy. The severity and persistence of acidosis was significantly correlated with the stool volume. Our findings indicate that adult patients, with diarrhoea and dehydration are readily rehydrated, if they drink a simple salt-sugar solution. When fluid losses exceed 50 ml/kg/24 hours acidosis will not be corrected for several days. The failure to correct acidosis promptly may not be of great clinical importance in adults with mild diarrhoea, and in such cases sodium bicarbonate may not be needed. More serious consequences of sustained acidosis may result in children and severely affected adults. This requires further evaluation.