Biomaterial Database

Can oral rehydration solution be safely flavored at home? 1997

C Nijssen-Jordan

Department of Emergency Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, AB, Canada.

OBJECTIVE To determine the concentration of sodium, potassium, glucose, and osmolality of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) which have been flavored with varying amounts of unsweetened Kool-Aid powder, Jell-O powder, apple juice, or orange juice. METHODS Descriptive. METHODS Alberta Children's Hospital Chemistry Laboratory. METHODS None. METHODS Addition of varying amounts of flavoring easily available in all households to commercially available unsweetened ORS. METHODS Concentrations of electrolytes, glucose, and osmolality. RESULTS Addition of fruit juices or flavor powders to commercially produced ORS does alter the electrolyte content and osmolality. When limited amounts of flavoring or juice is added, the osmolality of the solution approaches iso-osmolality. CONCLUSIONS Small amounts of unsweetened Kool-Aid powder, Jell-O powder, and apple or orange juice can be added to oral rehydration solutions without significantly altering electrolyte composition and osmolality.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009994	Osmolar Concentration	The concentration of osmotically active particles in solution expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per liter of solution. Osmolality is expressed in terms of osmoles of solute per kilogram of solvent.	Ionic Strength,Osmolality,Osmolarity,Concentration, Osmolar,Concentrations, Osmolar,Ionic Strengths,Osmolalities,Osmolar Concentrations,Osmolarities,Strength, Ionic,Strengths, Ionic
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D003681	Dehydration	The condition that results from excessive loss of water from a living organism.	Water Stress,Stress, Water
D004573	Electrolytes	Substances that dissociate into two or more ions, to some extent, in water. Solutions of electrolytes thus conduct an electric current and can be decomposed by it (ELECTROLYSIS). (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Electrolyte
D005421	Flavoring Agents	Substances added to foods and medicine to improve the taste.	Flavor Additives,Flavor Enhancers,Additive, Flavor,Additives, Flavor,Agent, Flavoring,Agents, Flavoring,Enhancer, Flavor,Enhancers, Flavor,Flavor Additive,Flavor Enhancer,Flavoring Agent
D005638	Fruit	The fleshy or dry ripened ovary of a plant, enclosing the seed or seeds.	Berries,Legume Pod,Plant Aril,Plant Capsule,Aril, Plant,Arils, Plant,Berry,Capsule, Plant,Capsules, Plant,Fruits,Legume Pods,Plant Arils,Plant Capsules,Pod, Legume,Pods, Legume
D005947	Glucose	A primary source of energy for living organisms. It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state. It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement.	Dextrose,Anhydrous Dextrose,D-Glucose,Glucose Monohydrate,Glucose, (DL)-Isomer,Glucose, (alpha-D)-Isomer,Glucose, (beta-D)-Isomer,D Glucose,Dextrose, Anhydrous,Monohydrate, Glucose
D006701	Home Nursing	Nursing care given to an individual in the home. The care may be provided by a family member or a friend. Home nursing as care by a non-professional is differentiated from HOME CARE SERVICES provided by professionals: visiting nurse, home health agencies, hospital, or other organized community group.	Home Care, Non-Professional,Nursing, Home,Home Care, Nonprofessional,Care, Non-Professional Home,Care, Nonprofessional Home,Home Care, Non Professional,Non-Professional Home Care,Nonprofessional Home Care
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001628	Beverages	Liquids that are suitable for drinking. (From Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed)	Beverage