New who ors formulation
You're referring to the new WHO ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) formulation!
In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) revised the ORS formulation to improve its effectiveness and simplify its preparation. The new formulation is known as WHO-ORS or ORS-R.
Here are the key changes:
- Simplified recipe: The new formula has a simpler recipe with fewer ingredients, making it easier to prepare and less prone to errors.
- Increased sodium concentration: The sodium concentration was increased from 1.5 g/L to 2.5 g/L to better match the body's needs and improve rehydration.
- Reduced potassium concentration: The potassium concentration was reduced from 20 mmol/L to 10 mmol/L to minimize the risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) in patients with severe dehydration.
- No glucose: The new formula no longer contains glucose, as it was found to be unnecessary and potentially causing gastrointestinal side effects.
- Improved palatability: The new formula has a better taste and is more acceptable to patients, especially children.
The new WHO-ORS formulation is:
- Sodium: 2.5 g/L (in the form of sodium chloride)
- Potassium: 10 mmol/L (in the form of potassium chloride)
- Chloride: 65 mmol/L (in the form of sodium chloride and potassium chloride)
- Osmolality: 245-295 mmol/L
The revised ORS formulation has been widely adopted and is now recommended by the WHO and other global health organizations for the treatment of dehydration in children and adults.