COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF RACECADOTRIL ALONG WITH ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY VS ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY ALONE IN CHILDREN (6 MONTHS TO 59 MONTHS) WITH ACUTE WATERY DIARRHEA. Dr.Faryad Hussain,Dr.Sultan Ali,Dr.Sobia Ashfaq,Dr.Hamna Ansari,Prof.Humayun Iqbal
COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF RACECADOTRIL ALONG WITH ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY VS ORAL REHYDRATION THERAPY ALONE IN CHILDREN (6 MONTHS TO 59 MONTHS) WITH ACUTE WATERY DIARRHEA. Dr.Faryad Hussain,Dr.Sultan Ali,Dr.Sobia Ashfaq,Dr.Hamna Ansari,Prof.Humayun Iqbal Khan. Contact details Dr.Faryad Hussain HOD/associate professor of paediatric medicine Fatima Jinnah Medical University/GTHS, Lahore df.hussain@yahoo.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of racecadotril along with oral rehydration therapy vs oral rehydration therapy alone in children (6 months to 59 months) with acute watery diarrhea.
METHODS: A total of 150 children (75 in each group) with acute watery diarrhea, who had after taking informed consent were allocated into two different groups. Group A (Study group) received a combination of racecadotril and oral rehydration therapy, while Group B (Control group) received oral rehydration therapy alone. All patients from both groups were provided with regular WHO-ORS based on their hydration condition. Patients in the study group were also given racecadotril three times by dissolving it in simple water (at a dose of 1.5mg/kg/day).
RESULTS: The comparison of mean stool frequency at various time intervals revealed that Group A consistently had significantly lower stool frequencies compared to Group B from day 1 to day 5 of treatment (p-values ranging from 0.013 to 0.049). Stool consistency comparisons indicated that Group A had significantly less watery stool from day 3 to day 5, although no significant differences were noted on days 1 and 2 (p-values ranging from 0.001 to 0.048).Furthermore, a notable finding was the significantly shorter duration of hospital stay in Group A compared to Group B (p-value=0.033).
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study underscores the efficacy of combining Oral Rehydration Therapy with Racecadotril in managing acute watery diarrhea in children. This approach exhibited superior clinical outcomes, shorter hospital stays, and potential benefits across various subgroups.
KEY WORDS: Diarrhea, Oral Rehydration Therapy, Oral Rehydration Solution, Racecadotril.
