@2025 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2252-0805    The Horizon of Medical Sciences 2014;20(2):75-79

Background
Diarrheal diseases are of the main children’s problems all around the world [1-5]. Despite the fact that ORS decreases mortality from acute diarrhea among children, but it has no effect on diarrhea time and stool bulk [7-11]. Proper dietary can have an important effect on diarrhea management [12-14].
Previous Studies
According to some conducted researches, Rice (Oryza sativa) is effective on diarrhea treatment [15]. Many researches have been conducted to change the composition of glucose-based ORS and to achieve ideal ORS [15, 16]. There are some researches, which have been conducted to consider probable impacts of rice-based ORS on diarrhea treatment among children [17-21].
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of simultaneous consumption of rice soup and Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) on weight gaining and blood factors in 8-24 months old children with acute diarrhea.
Research type
Research type is a random controlled clinical trial one.
Research society, place and time
The research society was the population of 8-24 months old children with acute diarrhea, hospitalized in the pediatric ward in 22nd Bahman hospital, Gonabad, Iran. The study was conducted during 2013.
Sampling method and number
40 children were selected, using simple sampling method. Sample size was estimated 20 persons for each group (40 persons in total), by the use of averages comparison formula and conducting pilot study on 5 persons, considering confidence coefficient 95% and test power 80%. Entry criteria were as the followings: 8 to 24 months old age-without diarrhea caused by underlying disease-with chronic but not acute diarrhea-without intense diarrhea-with sodium and potassium ions in normal range-no consume of foods and drinks, which result in increase in diarrhea’s intensity-to tolerate the diet by the patient Exit criteria were as the followings: Medical forbidding for continuation of the participation in the study –parents’ dissatisfaction with the research to be continued-not following the dietary during intervention-more than 2 times vomiting per day- need for antibiotics.
Used devices&materials
Children with acute diarrhea were assigned into “control” (ORS) and “intervention” (ORS+ rice soup) groups, using random allocation to include children with moderate and mild diarrhea in each group equally. Treatment protocol was the same for the two groups; and it is in accordance with the recommended chart by World Health Organization, in which need for ORS and intravenous fluids is based on diarrhea intensity [22]. “Control” group received the recommended treatment with ORS solution; and besides this, “intervention” group, for each bowel movement or vomiting, received 25cc and 50cc rice soup for less than one-year and more than one-year children, respectively. The researchers completed personal characteristics, medical examinations, and clinical tests forms. Weight variables were measured on admission and at first and second days. Blood factors, containing creatinine, urea, hemoglobin, hematocrit, bicarbonate, and pH, were measured on admission and at hospital discharge. The used tools were photometer film instrument (PFP7; England), auto-analyzer instrument (BT3500; Italy), CBC counter instrument (KX21-Sismex; Japan), and digital weight measure instrument (61907; Germany). SPSS 14.5 software was used to analyze data. Independent T test was used to compare average of quantitative variables between the two groups. Mann-Whitney test was used only for numbers of the second day vomiting, which did not have normal distribution. Chi Square test was used to evaluate the relation between qualitative variables and study groups.
Findings by Text
21 children were female and 19 children were male, from all 40 children. 28 children (13 children and 15 children of “control” and “intervention” groups, respectively) were with mild dehydration. 12 children (7 children and 5 children of “control” and “intervention” groups, respectively) were with moderate dehydration. 27 children (13 children and 14 children of “control” and “intervention” groups, respectively) were being breastfed. 13 children (7 children and 6 children of “control” and “intervention” groups, respectively) were being fed in another way (with milk other than breast milk). Concerning dietary type, hydration level, and sex variables, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups, and they were similar in terms of these variables. Average weight of research units was 9922.35±1551.35gr; and their average age was 14.35±5.63months. Concerning age, weight on admission, sodium and potassium level of serum, intravenous fluids volume at first and second 24-hours, vomiting number at first and second 24-hours, the pulse number, respiratory rate, and urine density, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups, and they are similar in terms of these variables. Concerning creatinine, urea, hematocrit, pH of venous blood, and bicarbonate blood factors, before and after intervention, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups. However, after intervention, average hemoglobin had significant statistical difference between the two groups, in such a manner that this average, after intervention, in “control” group was more than “intervention” group did. Nevertheless, concerning hemoglobin decrease, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Urea decrease in “intervention” group was more than “control” group did, as well as cratinine decrease; and this was statistically significant. In addition, despite the fact that there was no significant statistical difference between the groups concerning mean weight on admission, there was a significant statistical difference in first 24-hour and second 24-hour average weight gaining between the groups, in such a case that average weight gaining in “intervention” group was more than “control” group did (Table 1).
Main comparison to the similar studies
According to some conducted studies, the use of rice results in weight gaining than the use of ORS alone [17-21]. This result is consistent with the results of the present study. Results of a conducted study, showing average urea and cratinine decrease after intervention [17], are consistent with the results of the present study. In the present study, concerning hematocrit variable, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups, which is a result consistent with results of another conducted study [24]. Lack of a significant statistical difference in average bicarbonate between the two groups, showed in the present study, is consistent with the results of another study [25].
Suggestions
It is suggested that a long lasting study to be conducted, in order to evaluate long lasting impacts of rice soup on weight gaining and blood factors in children with acute diarrhea.
Limitations
Lack of blood factors and weight gaining control more than two days, caused by hospital discharge of the patients, was a limitation for the study.
Conclusions
Rice soup has no impact on blood factors of children with acute diarrhea, except urea and cratinine. Consuming rice soup results in more decrease in urea and cratinine. In addition, rice soup results in more weight gaining in treatment of these children, while it is without any risks.
Acknowledgments
The researchers feel grateful to Student Research Committee of Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, as well as personnel of the pediatric ward of 22nd Bahman Hospital (Gonabad, Iran) and mothers of the children.
Conflict of interest
Non-declared
Ethical Permissions
Regional Council for Ethics in Research (Gonabad University of Medical Sciences) confirmed the study.
Funding Sources
Student Research Committee of Gonabad University of Medical Sciences funded the study.

TABLES and CHARTS

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