The aim of a study published in the International Journal of Cardiology was to detect the changes of electrolytes in serum and urine in children with nerve mediated syncope (NMS) cured by oral rehydration salts (ORS).

This study entailed examination of electrolytes in serum and urine of 135 patients – 60 boys and 75 girls aged 4-16 years, with symptoms like unexplained syncope and presyncope from 2014-2015. After head-up tilt test (HUTT), their electrolytes in serum and urine were examined. Those who were positive to the HUTT received ORS and health education while others were only treated by health education. On their subsequent visit after 21-154 days, the improvement of their clinical manifestation was inquired and electrolytes in serum and urine were re-tested.

The total effective percentage of ORS treatment was 63% and the negative conversion rate of HUTT was 48.2%. In the first time of visit to hospital, there was no statistical significance between the HUTT-positive and the HUTT-negative in serum electrolytes, 24-hour urine electrolytes and 24-hour urine volume. In the return visit to hospital, the serum calcium and serum phosphorus in the HUTT-positive were higher than those in the HUTT-negative. With the intake of ORS, 24-hour urine-sodium, 24-hour urine-chlorine and 24-hour urine volume were improved than pre-treatment.

Thus, it was inferred that ORS was an effective treatment to the NMS children, which conferred increases in the 24-hour urine volume and urine-chloride concentration.

Source: International Journal of Cardiology. 2017 Apr 15;233:125-129. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.12.138.