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Background

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (Benefiber; Novartis Nutrition, Minneapolis, MN, USA) is fermented by colonic bacteria liberating short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which accelerate colonic absorption of salt and water. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Benefiber (BF)-supplemented World Health Organization Oral Rehydration Solution (WHO ORS) in the treatment of acute noncholera diarrhea in children.

Methods

A double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was performed at ICDDR, B in 150 male children aged 4 to 18 months who had watery diarrhea of less than 48 hours' duration. After admission, children were assigned to receive either WHO ORS or BF-supplemented WHO ORS until recovery. Major outcome measures, such as duration of diarrhea and amount of stool output, were compared between the treatment groups.

Results

Patients receiving BF-supplemented WHO ORS …