Acute salt poisoning due to different oral rehydration solution (ORS) packet sizes

Indian J Pediatr. 2010 Jun;77(6):679-80. doi: 10.1007/s12098-010-0095-0. Epub 2010 Jun 8.

Abstract

The packing and composition of ORS has undergone a change since its introduction. In India, some companies are manufacturing smaller pouches (4.2 g) to be dissolved in 200 ml of water. Therefore, out of confusion some prescribers routinely advise the patients to dissolve the standard formulation ORS pouch (21 g) in a glass (200 ml) of water. Two cases are discussed. First patient developed salt poisoning due to improper dilution and recovered after rapid correction. In the second patient improper reconstitution led to hypernatremia and death.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / therapy*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Hypernatremia / etiology*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic / administration & dosage
  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic / adverse effects*
  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic / poisoning*
  • Sodium Chloride / administration & dosage
  • Sodium Chloride / adverse effects*
  • Sodium Chloride / poisoning*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic
  • Sodium Chloride