As per current WHO recommendations adopted in India, the reduced osmolarity oral rehydration solution used in diarrhoea has a total osmolarity of 245 mmol/L. What is its sodium concentration?

• A 60 mmol/L
• B 75 mmol/L ✓
• C 90 mmol/L
• D 111 mmol/L

Explanation

The WHO reduced osmolarity ORS contains sodium 75, chloride 65, potassium 20, citrate 10 and glucose 75 mmol/L, giving a total osmolarity of 245 mmol/L compared with 311 mmol/L in the old standard ORS which had sodium 90. The reduction was made because lower osmolarity reduces stool output, vomiting and the need for unscheduled intravenous fluids in non-cholera diarrhoea.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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