How should ORS be dosed in diarrhea?
- The dose depends on the degree of dehydration.
- For mild dehydration (3%-5% decrease in body weight), 50 mL/kg taken in 2 to 4 hours is appropriate.
- For moderate dehydration (6%-9% decrease in body weight), the dosage should be increased to 100 mL/kg taken over the same period.
- If the dehydration is more severe than this, initial treatment with IV rehydration followed by ORS at 100 mL/kg in 4 hours is recommended.
