[Erroneously prepared oral rehydration solution life-threatening].

Two male infants, 6 and 2 months old, children of immigrant parents, were hospitalised because of somnolence and diarrhoea. Both had severe hypernatraemia. The first died during venous cannulation, the second had convulsions with multiple cerebral haemorrhages and severe neurologic damage. Both had received oral rehydration fluid, prescribed by their general practitioner and prepared by their parents. These had dissolved the contents of the package in far too little water, which resulted in solutions that were seven times and twice, respectively, as strong as they should have been. Careful instruction regarding the use and preparation of oral rehydration fluid is of utmost importance, notably with patients with a different cultural or language background.