Sodium balance during acute diarrhoea in malnourished children.

Forty-six male children 12-59 months old (27 malnourished and 19 with normal nutrition) admitted for acute water diarrhoea of less than 48 hours' duration were studied. Using a metabolic balance and separate collections of urine and stools over each 6-hour period, balance studies were carried out up to 48 hours. Blood, stool, and urine samples were analysed for sodium and potassium levels.