Randomised trial showed that rapid rehydration of severely malnourished children with dehydrating diarrhoea was as safe and effective as slow rehydration

Aim: This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of rapid and slow rehydration in children aged 6-60 months with dehydrating diarrhoea and severe malnutrition.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted from July 2011 to March 2014 at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh. We included children with weight for age and, or, weight for length Z-scores of less than -3 or with bipedal oedema and acute diarrhoea with severe dehydration. The children received intravenous fluid at different rates: 105 rapidly over six hours and 103 slowly over the 12 hours recommended by the World Health Organization.

Results: All the children were successfully rehydrated. The admittance weights were similar for the slow and rapid groups: 8.4 kg and 8.3 kg. After 24 hours, the mean percentage weight gain was 8.5% and 9.0%, respectively. This confirmed that most of the children had been suffering from severe dehydration on admission. The respective proportions of children who received unscheduled intravenous fluid were 18% and 17%. None developed fluid overload or heart failure and most recovered normal renal function after rehydration.

Conclusion: Rapid rehydration saved time, was as safe as slow rehydration and was a better option for dehydrating diarrhoea and severe malnutrition.