ORS Rehydration Calculator

India · WHO & IAP Guidelines · Diarrhoea Management · Zinc Supplementation

Mild Dehydration Moderate Dehydration Zinc IAP ORS Preparation Paediatric Adult

Weight (kg)

Age

Degree of Dehydration

📋 How to Prepare ORS at Home

Take 1 litre of clean drinking water (boiled and cooled is best)

Add 1 ORS sachet (Electral, Enerlyte, or WHO-ORS) — do not add extra sachets to less water

Stir well until completely dissolved

Give in small frequent sips — not large volumes at once to avoid vomiting

Discard unused ORS after 24 hours — do not store prepared solution

⚠️ Never add sugar, salt, or extra water to a prepared ORS solution — it alters the electrolyte balance.

🏥 Go to Hospital Immediately If:

🔴 Child is unable to drink or keep ORS down

🔴 Vomiting is profuse and persistent

🔴 Diarrhoea is bloody or contains mucus

🔴 High fever above 39°C alongside diarrhoea

🔴 No urine for more than 6 hours

🔴 Child is drowsy, limp, or unconscious

🔴 Sunken eyes, dry tongue, skin pinch returns slowly

🔴 Newborn or infant under 6 months with diarrhoea

⚠️ ORS treats dehydration — it does not stop diarrhoea. Continue normal feeding alongside ORS. Breastfed babies should continue breastfeeding. This follows WHO Plan A and B and IAP 2024 guidelines.

ORS Dose Guidelines — India (WHO Plan A & B)

Mild dehydration (Plan A): 50ml/kg ORS over 3–4 hours at home. Continue breastfeeding. Offer extra ORS after each loose stool (50–100ml for children under 2, 100–200ml for older children).

Moderate dehydration (Plan B): 100ml/kg ORS over 3–4 hours, preferably supervised at a health facility. Reassess after rehydration.

Severe dehydration (Plan C): IV rehydration with Ringer's Lactate in hospital. ORS started as soon as child can drink.

Zinc Supplementation for Diarrhoea

IAP and WHO recommend zinc supplementation alongside ORS for all children with acute diarrhoea: 10mg/day for infants under 6 months and 20mg/day for children 6 months and above, for 14 days. Zinc reduces duration and severity of diarrhoea and prevents future episodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much ORS should I give my child?

For mild dehydration: 50ml per kg body weight over 3–4 hours. For moderate dehydration: 100ml per kg over 3–4 hours. Always give in small frequent sips, not large amounts at once.

Which ORS brand is best in India?

WHO-ORS formula sachets (Electral, Enerlyte, ORS WHO) all contain the correct sodium concentration of 75 mEq/L. Avoid homemade salt-sugar solutions as concentrations are difficult to measure accurately.

Can I give ORS to a newborn?

Newborns and infants under 6 months with diarrhoea should be seen by a doctor immediately. Continue breastfeeding. Do not give plain water to newborns as it can cause dangerous hyponatraemia.

Should I stop feeding during diarrhoea?

No — continue normal feeding alongside ORS. Breastfed babies should continue breastfeeding. Stopping food prolongs recovery. The BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast) is commonly recommended in India for older children.