Related Experiment Videos
Ondansetron decreases vomiting associated with acute gastroenteritis: a randomized, controlled trial
John J Reeves1, Michael W Shannon, Gary R Fleisher
1Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada 89102, USA. jreevesmd@pol.net
Pediatrics
|April 3, 2002
Summary
Ondansetron effectively reduced vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis. This antiemetic also lowered hospital admission rates, particularly in patients with specific serum carbon dioxide levels, indicating its value in pediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Acute gastroenteritis is a common pediatric illness often accompanied by vomiting.
- Antiemetic agents, specifically selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists like ondansetron, have shown potential in managing symptoms.
- Limited research exists on the efficacy of ondansetron in treating vomiting associated with acute gastroenteritis in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous ondansetron in treating vomiting in pediatric patients diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis.
- To assess the impact of ondansetron on hospital admission rates and complication occurrence in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary-care children's hospital emergency department.
- 107 pediatric patients (1 month to 22 years) requiring intravenous fluids for gastroenteritis were enrolled and randomized to receive either intravenous ondansetron or a placebo.
- Key outcome measures included the frequency of vomiting, hospital admission rates, and the incidence of complications.
Main Results:
- Complete cessation of vomiting was observed in 70% of patients receiving ondansetron compared to 51% in the placebo group.
- The admission rate was 26% for the ondansetron group versus 30% for the placebo group.
- Among patients with a serum carbon dioxide level of ≥15 mEq/L, ondansetron significantly reduced admission rates (7% vs. 23% for placebo).
Conclusions:
- Intravenous ondansetron is effective in decreasing vomiting associated with acute gastroenteritis in children.
- Ondansetron can reduce the need for hospital admission in pediatric gastroenteritis patients, especially those with specific metabolic parameters (serum CO2 ≥15 mEq/L).
- The safety profile and cost-effectiveness suggest ondansetron is a valuable therapeutic option for managing pediatric gastroenteritis.