Vitalyte oral rehydration salts are formulated based on the latest recommendations by WHO and UNICEF. The conventional ORS had 90 mEq/l of sodium and 111 mEq/l of glucose with a total osmolarity of 311 mOsm/l. Though it was an effective treatment to restore hydration with no adverse events, the formula was not effective enough to reduce the stool output and the duration of diarrhea. The improved ORS formula launched by UNICEF is as safe as the standard ORS with added efficacy in reducing the stool output, duration of diarrhea and also reduced incidences of vomiting by the patients. The improved formula of ORS is of low osmolarity compared to the standard ORS. It has 75 mEq/l of sodium, 75 mmol/l of glucose and a total osmolarity of 245 mOsm/l. The low osmolarity ORS has shown efficacy not only in treating but also in preventing dehydration in children from all types of diarrhea with reduced need for IV supplementation. It has also been proven to be safe and effective for use in children with cholera.
The improved low osmolarity ORS formulation reduces the need for hospitalization of children for intravenous fluid administration. With a reduced need for IV supplementation, it results in fewer secondary infections and also lowers the health costs.