Is rice water right for rehydration? [reply to letter by W.A. Cutting] [letter]

This letter represents a reply to Cutting who raised doubts about the authors claim that rice water is superior to glucose electrolyte solution as a rehydrating agent in diarrheal disease. One of Cuttings criticisms was that the authors failed to standardize the starch content of the rice water they used. It is noted that the facilities for such standardization are not available in Bombay where the study was carried out. In response to another of Cuttings criticisms the authors provide data in this letter on the amount of fluids administered to dehydrated children. Also clarified are data on the recording of electrolyte levels and weight gain. Although the authors concede that theirs was not a true double-blind trial since therpy was allocated on specific days the studys findings nevertheless suggest that rice water and rice-based electrolyte solution are superior to glucose electrolyte solution in the treatment of diarrhea.