Comparison of sucrose with glucose in oral therapy of infant diarrhoea.

In a randomised double-blind trial, 51 5--10% dehydrated infants were rehydrated with oral electrolyte solutions containing sucrose or glucose. Most infants in both groups were successfully rehydrated, but the sucrose solution produced a slower correction of electrolyte abnormalities and a higher percentage of patients who needed more than 24 h of therapy. Where there is adequate knowledge of the oral therapy method sucrose can substitute for glucose in many cases; where there is a choice glucose is recommended.